Category: Seattle (Page 1 of 8)

Here We Go Again

April 1, 2025 / Andy

Well its that time of year. Opening Day. Yay?

Man, I used to love Baseball Opening Day. So much hope. If this falls right, and that goes our way, and if that guy has a great year, then we can win it!

But, I’m jaded now. When your team has a publicly stated goal of going 87-75 every year and maintaining a profit, it’s hard to get more excited than they do.

But its a fun time to look at stats anyway. It is baseball after all. So lets open up to a couple of pages.

1) Championships by Team (MLB, NFL, NBA, MHL, MLS)

Overall Stats:

Total Franchises with titles: 74 (out of 160)

Baseball: 23 (out of 30)
Football: 20 (out of 32)
Basketball: 20 (out of 30)
NHL: 19 (out of 32)
MLS: 15 (out of 29)

Teams

11 Titles

Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)

7 Titles

New York Yankees (MLB)

6 Titles

Chicago Bulls (NBA)
LA Galaxy (MLS)
New England Patriots (NFL)
Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL)

5 Titles

Boston Celtics (NBA)
Edmonton Oilers (NHL)
Golden State Warriors (NBA)
New York Islanders (NHL)
Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
San Francisco 49ers (NFL)

4 Titles

Boston Red Sox (MLB)
D.C. United (MLS)
Dallas Cowboys (NFL)
Kansas City Chiefs (NFL)
Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
New York Giants (NFL)
San Francisco Giants (MLB)

3 Titles

Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Columbus Crew (MLS)
Denver Broncos (NFL)
Detroit Pistons (NBA)
Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Las Vegas Raiders (NFL)
Miami Heat (NBA)
New Jersey Devils (NHL)
Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
St. Louis Cardinals (MLB)
Washington Commanders (NFL)

2 Titles

Atlanta Braves (MLB)
Baltimore Ravens (NFL)
Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Florida Panthers (NHL)
Houston Astros (MLB)
Houston Dynamo FC (MLS)
Houston Rockets (NBA)
Los Angeles Rams (NFL)
Miami Marlins (MLB)
Minnesota Twins (MLB)
Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA)
Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)
Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
Toronto Blue Jays (MLB)

1 Title

Anaheim Angels (MLB)
Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB)
Boston Bruins (NHL)
Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Chicago Bears (NFL)
Chicago Cubs (MLB)
Chicago White Sox (MLB)
Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Dallas Mavericks (NBA)
Dallas Stars (NHL)
Denver Nuggets (NBA)
Detroit Tigers (MLB)
Kansas City Royals (MLB)
Milwaukee Bucks (NBA)
New Orleans Saints (NFL)
New York Mets (MLB)
Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)
Portland Trail Blazers (NBA)
Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
Texas Rangers (MLB)
Toronto Raptors (NBA)
Washington Nationals (MLB)
Washington Wizards (NBA)

2) Championships by City

Los Angeles – 26 Titles
Dodgers (MLB) – 6
Lakers (NBA) – 11
Rams (NFL) – 2
Kings (NHL) – 2
Galaxy (MLS) – 5

Boston – 20 Titles
Red Sox (MLB) – 4
Patriots (NFL) – 6
Celtics (NBA) – 8
Bruins (NHL) – 2
Revolution (MLS) – 0

New York – 15 Titles
Yankees (MLB) – 5
Giants (NFL) – 3
Mets (MLB) – 1
Rangers (NHL) – 1
Islanders (NHL) – 4
Knicks (NBA) – 0
NYCFC (MLS) – 1

Chicago – 13 Titles
Bears (NFL) – 1
Bulls (NBA) – 6
Blackhawks (NHL) – 3
White Sox (MLB) – 1
Cubs (MLB) – 1
Fire (MLS) – 1

San Francisco – 12 Titles
49ers (NFL) – 5
Giants (MLB) – 3
Warriors (NBA) – 4

Pittsburgh – 10 Titles
Steelers (NFL) – 4
Penguins (NHL) – 5
Pirates (MLB) – 1

Detroit – 8 Titles
Pistons (NBA) – 3
Red Wings (NHL) – 4
Tigers (MLB) – 1
Lions (NFL) – 0

Washington, D.C. – 8 Titles
Commanders (NFL) – 3
Capitals (NHL) – 1
Nationals (MLB) – 1
D.C. United (MLS) – 3

Denver – 7 Titles
Broncos (NFL) – 3
Avalanche (NHL) – 3
Nuggets (NBA) – 1
Rockies (MLB) – 0

Dallas – 6 Titles
Cowboys (NFL) – 3
Stars (NHL) – 1
Mavericks (NBA) – 1
FC Dallas (MLS) – 0
Rangers (MLB) – 1

Houston – 6 Titles
Astros (MLB) – 2
Rockets (NBA) – 2
Dynamo (MLS) – 2

Kansas City – 5 Titles
Chiefs (NFL) – 3
Royals (MLB) – 2

Miami – 5 Titles
Heat (NBA) – 3
Marlins (MLB) – 2
Dolphins (NFL) – 0
Inter Miami (MLS) – 0

San Antonio – 5 Titles
Spurs (NBA) – 5

Tampa Bay – 5 Titles
Buccaneers (NFL) – 2
Lightning (NHL) – 3

Philadelphia – 4 Titles
Eagles (NFL) – 1
Phillies (MLB) – 2
76ers (NBA) – 1
Flyers (NHL) – 0
Union (MLS) – 0

Seattle – 4 Titles
Seahawks (NFL) – 1
Sounders (MLS) – 2
Supersonics (NBA) – 1

St. Louis – 4 Titles
Cardinals (MLB) – 2
Blues (NHL) – 1
Rams (NFL) – 1

Toronto – 4 Titles
Blue Jays (MLB) – 2
Raptors (NBA) – 1
Toronto FC (MLS) – 1

Atlanta – 3 Titles
Braves (MLB) – 2
United (MLS) – 1

Baltimore – 3 Titles
Ravens (NFL) – 2
Orioles (MLB) – 1

Columbus – 3 Titles
Crew (MLS) – 3

Milwaukee – 2 Titles
Bucks (NBA) – 2

Minneapolis – 2 Titles
Twins (MLB) – 2

Portland – 2 Titles
Timbers (MLS) – 2

Cincinnati – 1 Title
Reds (MLB) – 1

Cleveland – 1 Title
Cavaliers (NBA) – 1

Las Vegas – 1 Title
Golden Knights (NHL) – 1

New Orleans – 1 Title
Saints (NFL) – 1

Oklahoma City – 1 Title
Thunder (NBA) – 1

Phoenix – 1 Title
Diamondbacks (MLB) – 1

Salt Lake City – 1 Title
Real Salt Lake (MLS) – 1

It’s Cold and Rainy. And I Need Something to Do

January 16, 2022 / Andy

It’s that time of year when we’re all going stir crazy. But this year, I have a little baby who needs constant attention, so any moments I can break free of the house need to be spent wisely. My good friend ChatGPT recommended some ideas to me. What do you think?

1. Explore the Kubota Garden

Tucked away in South Seattle, Kubota Garden is a hidden gem that fuses traditional Japanese landscaping with Pacific Northwest beauty. The rain enhances the colors of the trees and the ponds, creating a tranquil, almost mystical experience. Walk along the serene paths, cross arched bridges, and enjoy the sound of the rain on the leaves. Bring an umbrella and good boots, and you’ll have the park practically to yourself.

2. DIY Workshop at Ballard Reuse

If you’re into building or upcycling, Ballard Reuse is your spot. This architectural salvage shop is full of reclaimed materials, from vintage wood to old hardware. They host DIY workshops on creating furniture or decor from salvage items. Even if there’s no class that day, you can spend hours exploring the treasures and getting inspiration for a rainy-day project.

3. Catch a Cult Classic at the Grand Illusion Cinema

Skip the blockbusters and head to the Grand Illusion Cinema in the U-District. This small, independent theater shows obscure films, cult classics, and indie flicks that you won’t find anywhere else in the city. The theater itself is an experience—an intimate, old-school space that feels like stepping back in time.

4. Pioneer Square’s Underground Tour

Seattle’s famous underground is something most tourists don’t know about until they visit, but locals often forget about it too. The rain makes it an ideal time to dive into the city’s hidden history. Explore the old streets buried below modern Seattle, hear stories about the city’s past, and walk through spaces that are both eerie and fascinating.

5. Make Your Own Terrarium at Glasswing Greenhouse

If you’re looking for a creative way to bring the outdoors inside, check out Glasswing Greenhouse in Capitol Hill. They offer workshops where you can create your own terrarium or plant arrangement. Whether you’re a gardening pro or have never kept a plant alive, it’s a fun, hands-on way to engage with nature while staying dry.

6. Shop for Quirky Finds at Archie McPhee

For a truly one-of-a-kind shopping experience, visit Archie McPhee in Wallingford. Known as the home of bizarre and unusual items, it’s the perfect rainy-day escape. From rubber chickens to quirky costumes, you’re bound to find something fun (or at least laugh-worthy) here. It’s also a great spot to pick up a weird gift for that friend who has everything.

7. Volunteer at the Bike Kitchen

For those who love tinkering, check out the Bike Kitchen in the U-District. It’s a community bike repair space where you can learn how to fix bikes, build your own, or help others with repairs. Whether you’re an expert or a total newbie, it’s a great way to spend a rainy day while doing something hands-on and helpful.

8. DIY Pottery at Emerald City Fired Arts

Unleash your inner artist at Emerald City Fired Arts. You can choose from a range of pottery pieces to paint, and they’ll glaze and fire them for you. It’s a calming and creative way to spend the day, plus you get to bring home your handmade art.

9. Indoor Mini Golf at Flatstick Pub

If you want to combine indoor fun, a little friendly competition, and local beer, Flatstick Pub in South Lake Union or Pioneer Square is the place to be. They offer mini golf and other games in a laid-back pub atmosphere, perfect for rainy-day entertainment with friends.

How did ChatGPT do? Like any of them?

A Few Thoughts About Sigi Schmid

July 27, 2016 / Andy

It’s the end of an era. Quite literally.

The Seattle Sounders have only known one head coach in all their days. Through 250 MLS matches, a host of playoff games and some lengthy runs through the U.S. Open Cup and Champions League, Sigi Schmid has been the only man driving the bus. And now that ride has ended.

While Sigi was alone in compiling 115 wins, 69 losses and 66 draws from 2009-1016, the Seattle Mariners are now on a 5th manager to pull them out of their 573-660 streak.

Sigi will get criticism for not winning the MLS Cup, a compliant that seemed to heat up after the Seahawks got their ring three Super Bowls ago. And the cry of, “Well we’re still an expansion team” fell on deaf ears as soon as the hatred Portland Timbers raised the cup ahead of the Sounders. At that point, the knives were out.

But Is 2016 Sigi’s Fault?

The Sounders had a run of bad luck last year that stretched them thin, so they stocked up on some guys who were supposed to plug the holes and then provide depth in 2016. At this time this year, here is what the Sounders lineup was “supposed” to look like:

Forwards: Starters: Obafemi Martins, Dempsey, Valdez. Bench: Jordan Morris.
Mids: Alonso, Evans, Ivanschitz. Bench: Kovar, Roldan, Friberg.
Def: Mears, Torres, Marshall, Jones. Bench: Scott, Remick.

Instead, Torres is hurt and Martins is sitting on a bench in China. Dempsey missed a month on National team duty. The Sounders were trotting out a lineup of role players and hoping Jordan Morris could dramatically exceed any reasonable expectation of a rookie. Evans got shoved back to defense and couldn’t contribute on offense. When Dempsey was here, he had no one to pass to. The team was so slow that defenses could push high up the field and pressure guys like Scott into turning it over in front of goal.

A lot of things went wrong this year, and I’m not sure if any coach could make that lineup work. The Sigi detractors have a fair point – that with the players we ended up with, he stubbornly stuck to a formation that didn’t seem to fit them. It’s really a double edged sword. If he was switching formations every few games (the way we all would playing FIFA on XBox) and it didn’t work, we’d be yelling about that.

And so that leaves Sounderland in a little bit of a quandary. Sigi was “our guy” from the get go. Adrian is “our guy.” GM Garth Lagerway is a Real Salt Lake guy. “Our guy” took a fall because the coaching staff and management team couldn’t get results in 2016 with the product they put together. Now we have to trust in Lagerway to find the right players and the right coach.

I’ll miss Sigi. I’ll miss wondering how a guy who spends every day on a soccer field and eating meals specially prepared by a scientific driven training team could possibly weigh in at 3 bills. I’ll miss standing behind the bench trying to figure out what crazy substitution is coming next.

But this is a reminder that nothing lasts forever. The storybook start to the Sounders franchise, with Sigi leading us to a 3-1 win over New York, still hasn’t had the magical payoff moment we’ve been waiting for. I hope it comes soon enough that Schmid’s fingerprints are still on the team. I hope we get to see Brad Evans and Ozzie Alonso lift a cup and we can remember Sigi’s original influence.

So long sir. I feel lucky that we had you take the reins at the beginning and lead us to where we are today. Best of luck in whatever challenge you take on next.

Join me at the Seattle Interactive Conference November 3

October 20, 2015 / Andy

Over the last few years, I’ve had a few amazing chances to get in front of a large audience and either speak on, or moderate panels full of smart people. In about two weeks, I’ll get the opportunity to moderate a panel at one of my favorite events – the Seattle Interactive Conference.

The panel is focused on the changing role of online advertising. Here’s the description:

Game of Screens: The Rise of Multi-Screen Marketing
The rapid evolution of consumer behavior as it relates to their media consumption has rendered many of advertising’s traditional targeting and measurement metrics difficult or obsolete. So how do you accurately measure results when Device proliferation is making even basic reach and frequency management nearly impossible? How can you balance the new expectations amongst consumers that messaging to them should always be relevant and timely? And what are some recent technology advancements in targeting and measurement to help address some of these challenges? In this panel, executives from Choicestream, GoDaddy, Logitech and Sharethrough will share their experience and expertise in delivering successful behavior-driven marketing to consumers who live on multiple screens.

The panel will be on Nov 3 at 11:00am. If you’re attending the event, please come on by and check out our session. And if you have questions you want answered, shoot me an email and I’ll add them into the queue.

I’ve Become One of “Those” People, and You Guys Can’t Drive

August 7, 2015 / Andy

I like to think that at my advanced age, I have the ability to shift opinions. To change my mind. To “evolve,” as it were.

For years, I did not understand the concept of riding a bike to work. I found it non-sensical. Foolish and childish even.

But then about 3-4 weeks ago my doctor explained some things that were going to happen to me in the coming years if I did not lose a fairly significant amount of weight. And he wasn’t saying things like, “Wow you are going to feel great!”

So I left his office, went to the bike store, and bought myself a new way to commute to the office. I’m now one of “those people” who are in the way when you are driving to work.

What I’ve learned

Now I’m in no way an expert yet. I’ve maybe done the Wallingford to Downtown Cannonball Run about 8-10 times. But here are some initial impressions.

1) You people can’t drive. I never noticed it before, but there really is no consistency from one driver to another. You make crazy left turns out of nowhere, pull over in bike lanes (it doesn’t matter if your hazards are on, I still can’t jump over you), block interceptions at red lights, and nose your car out into the middle of the road. Bring on the driverless cars.
2) Texting and driving is seriously dangerous. There aren’t a lot of things a biker finds scarier than seeing someone in a car with their face buried in their cell phone. We have no idea where you are headed, if you see us, or what you are going to do.
3) We need more bike lanes. On my way in, I zip down Stone to 34th to Dexter to Bell to 2nd and it’s a breeze. On my way out of town, inexplicably you can’t head back UP 2nd very far. So I have to weave through buses, cars and/or pedestrians on 3rd and Blanchard to get back to a safe path.
4) Some bikers are really decent humans. Contrary to my previous belief about bikers being traffic-causing, egotistical, stubborn jerks, a lot of bikers are pretty nice. We usually end up in a nice little pack around stop lights. There’s safety in numbers and we’re all more visible when we’re traveling in a flock. Usually everyone is following traffic rules, being courteous to drivers, and being safe.
5) Some bikers are total jerks. Nothing is more frustrating to a rookie biker like me than seeing some yahoo zipping through traffic, slinging between lanes, ignoring street signs and signals, and generally creating chaos. For the record, I’m the guy following every rule, doing everything like you’d expect the guy on the bike to do. Bikers who flaunt the fact that they are on a bike scare me because they make you unpredictable.
6) The time is comparable. On an average day at rush hour, driving 6 miles downtown plus parking takes me about 25-30 minutes door to desk. On a bike, 30-35.

Ok, I’m a cheater
So here’s the thing. I’m not in good enough shape to get up Stone Way. And I don’t like the idea of being stuck at 8mph in traffic. So I bought an electric bike. I’m an absolute believer in these things.

The electric bike is great because you really only use it up hills, or if you need to maintain a consistent speed of 15-20 mph. You can shut it off if you’re by yourself and can go at your own pace. And maybe one day when I’m in better shape I’ll be able to keep it off altogether. But if you are considering becoming a bike commuter, look into the electric bike. It will help get you off the fence.

So there you go
So I’m a convert, at least when I can be. It’s still totally impractical for anyone who needs to wear a suit or pick up the kids after work. But there might be a good number of you who could pull it off.

And try that electric bike.

One Human, One Block, One Year: An Idea for Solving Homelessness

April 13, 2015 / Andy

So file this under pie in the sky, hopeless ideas that have no chance of coming true.

Unless, that is, one person tries to get it going.

NPR published an interesting article the other day about Homelessness in Seattle. One stat stood out: “According to the latest count, in January, more than 3,700 people live on the streets of King County. The number of people sleeping outside shot up by 20 percent in just the past year.”

3,700.

Via NPR

That number sounds enormous when you are thinking about how a government agency could fix the problem. And the government has proven it can’t do it. Here’s another stat from the article, one that should make you pretty mad. “All told, under a 10-year plan put together a decade ago by a public-private partnership called the Committee to End Homelessness, roughly $1 billion has gone to the cause.”

$1 Billion spent in 10 years. 3,700 homeless. At $100 million spent per year, we could just pay every homeless person an annual salary of $27,000 and just close down whatever services are trying to solve the problem.

But 3,700 is also a really small number.

King County has 2.044 Million people. For every 1 homeless person in Seattle, there are 550 non-homeless. This is the math I use to think there’s an opportunity at fixing this problem.

One Human, One Block, One Year
The idea is simple philosophically. Homelessness stops being a macro issue that we need “leaders” and “organizations” to try to solve. Homeless people need to stop being nameless, anonymous shadows that we can easily ignore on the side of the on ramp.

Let’s make homelessness a neighborhood cause. And not just a neighborhood cause, but a block cause.

I’m going to guess that almost every city block contains the following things:
– A house with an unused shed, mother-in-law attachment, garage or other structure that could be fitted with a simple bathroom. (And if not, a group of 20 people who’d split the rent on an apartment for someone.)
– At least one if not more people who hire part-time help.
– Someone who is or knows a psychologist, therapist or life coach.
– A teacher.
– A retired person willing to occasionally give someone a ride.
– Someone who’d spring for a bus pass.
– Neighbors with extra clothing they can give to a specific human.
– People who will donate money to make sure someone they know is well fed.

When you think of the idea that 550 people working together could help a single person get off the street, it seems almost mathematically insane that we have homeless people in the first place.

Now yes, I know that there are gigantic holes in this idea. Addiction, dementia, stubbornness, safety. These are all issues that would have to be dealt with. Then you’d have to get through the government red tape of permits, zoning, etc…

But doesn’t it seem doable? Doesn’t it seem like if everyone who lived on your block assembled for two hours one Sunday afternoon, you could come up with everything you need to get someone a home, a part-time job, a wardrobe, counseling, a bus pass, some education and tutoring, addiction treatment if necessary, and most of all – friends in a neighborhood. Friends who want to see their guest succeed and move on to successfully re-start their own life in 12 months.

That’s my utopian idea. One human, being helped by one block of neighbors, for one year.

Does Pronto Have Their Pricing Wrong

February 22, 2015 / Andy

Since I work downtown a lot, and I am always rooting for startups, I’ve been keeping an eye on the bike-renting service “Pronto.” I think it’s a cool idea, and with enough manipulation, you can kind of shove this square peg into the circle hole of The Collaborative Economy. So that intrigues me as well.

Via DowntownSeattle.com

So this week I wanted to use the service to get about 9-10 blocks across downtown. And here is where I found out that I think they may have a simple to fix problem – pricing.

Pronto will let you rent a bike for 24 hours for $8. It seems like a paltry amount to spend. But I don’t need a bike for 24 hours. I need a bike Car2Go style – for 5 minutes to get to my meeting across downtown, and then an hour later I need it for 5 minutes to get back.

For $8, I can hop in an Uber. For $8 I can buy a sandwich and eat it as I enjoy a 15 minute walk. Sure 8$ is only $.33 an hour. But I only need the bike for 4% of the time in which I can have it. I’d rather pay 5-10x that $.33 per hour rate, and get closer to 70-100% efficiency.

That’s my use case. Maybe I’m unique. But I really want this company to succeed, so I’m curious why the pay by the hour model isn’t a viable alternative. Regardless, there seems to be more and more Pronto stands popping up all over town, so they must be doing something right.

What is a Winning Football Team Worth to Seattle

January 22, 2015 / Andy

There’s a guy at my gym who fancies himself as somewhat of a philosopher. His podium is the sauna, where he knows he has a captive audience of helpless people who have no other place to get a good sweat.

I call him “Sauna Sam” and he adds as much to the world’s philosophical endeavors as I do to nuclear engineering. The beauty of Sauna Sam is that the more conviction he has about a topic, the less he actually knows about it.

How does this relate to football? Bear with me a moment.

For some reason, I have no actual downloaded media on my phone. I live in an all-stream kind of world I suppose. And of course, there’s no internet in the sauna. So how annoying is Sauna Sam? I will actually put on my headset, open up video games on my phone, and listen to the minute long introductory music from the game’s home screen 10 times rather than listen to Sam.

So yesterday I’m fumbling around, desperately trying to find a game with a loud soundtrack, and before I can get there, I have to hear Sam’s latest rant, directed at no one in particular other than that poor sap that made the mistake of making eye contact and now was looking for a back door to sneak out of.

Sam is ranting about how the mainstream media has brainwashed all the pacifists and progressive minds in Seattle to support a sport that is all about barbarianism. He mocks Seattle for spending their money to placate millionaires and billionaires running a fascist business in which people purposely and willfully attempt to hurt each other.

Being the open minded soul that I am, I tried to embrace this line of thought. Concussions are certainly a bad thing. Domestic Violence is definitely bad. Shootings, drug use, steroids, these are all negative things that NFL players can become known for.

So then I looked at the other side. There are very few times in my life when I have felt such irrational exuberance as I did Sunday afternoon in Century Link. At several moments in that game, I shared emotions with 65,000 other people. Surprise at an early Russel Wilson interception, relief that the Packers only had 2 field goals, depression on the interception with 5:00 left, hope when the Seahawks got the ball back, excitement when they scored, celebration when they got the onside kick, pure disbelief when they took the lead, a nervous sigh when they gave up the field goal, a tempered optimism when they won the overtime coin flip, and unbridled jubilation when they got the touchdown.

That my friends, is a roller coaster of human emotions. And I didn’t go through them by myself. I had 65,000 neighbors with me. Throughout those last 5:00, all of strangers hugged, high-fived, stared open mouth in disbelief, danced and smiled like we just learned how.

So obviously, I am one of the brain washed. One of the NFL’s minions who receive joy from watching grown men fight on a field of battle. Right, Sam?

Well I think that idea is garbage. Football is dangerous, not all of the players are upstanding citizens and there are definite health risks you take by being hit by large, structurally sound men in return for a million dollar paycheck.

But barbaric? The Roman Colosseum was barbaric. Dog fighting is barbaric. Football is dangerous. Football takes bravery. But no one is supposed to die playing football.

All of the players on that field were doing things that you and I could never imagine doing. The discipline and training it takes is more than we can comprehend. The 65,000 people sitting in Century Link, and the hundreds of thousands watching at home, wanted their team to be braver, stronger, faster and smarter than the other guys risking their health to win a game. And not just this week, but over the last 18 weeks.

But these are our guys. And we’re proud that they wear a Seattle jersey. And so we will do whatever small part we can to contribute. That means being loud when the team needs a pick me up. It means being louder when we can affect the other team. It means losing all sanity and rational thought and truly believing we are part of the team, the collective 12th man.

And that’s what the team means to the city. We all have our different political views, jobs, education, etc… But Seattleites – and the region around us – all have a singular bond if we choose to embrace it. We are the 12th Man. Together. It makes us stronger as a city, and closer as a population.

It’s too bad Sauna Sam wants to focus on the negative. He is really missing out on how cool it is to be part of this community.

The Best Company You Don’t Know You Need

January 14, 2015 / Andy

I don’t shill for companies very often. And I am getting no benefit for this.

But I love RePC. (Google Map)

Now maybe you are one of those super careful people who never do anything dumb like accidentally back over your laptop bag after scraping the snow off your car, or accidentally have your laptop bag fall out of the back of an SUV. Maybe you never have a need to get your laptop screen replaced.

But maybe you do. And if you do, you want to take it to RePC. If they have the screen in stock (which they often do), the whole thing is less than $100. If they have to buy it from somewhere else, maybe $150. If you can find the right screen yourself somewhere, then they’ll do the install for like $40.

Of course, they do all kinds of other things for people have different kinds of laptop issues. So next time you have some computer calamity, give these guys a shot. They are just down by Safeco Field. Super nice, really helpful and really fair.

Geek Stars Shine Bright at Annual Geekwire Awards

May 9, 2014 / Andy

There was more Polo than Prada. More Ralph than Lauren. And Levi’s outnumbered Louboutin’s about 5 to 1. But there was enough revelry, camaraderie and fun at Geekwire’s “Oscars of Seattle Startups” last night at EMP that you expected Ellen to organize a group selfie.

You can get the full results of the 13 Geek Awards over at Geekwire.com. But maybe more importantly than the awards themselves is the annual chance to catch up with what every startup in town is up to.

The startup world is a fluid one. Some people who were 100% confident in one project last year have a new passion this year. And some folks working out of their garage a year ago now have a staff of 26. But thanks to Geekwire, we get this annual opportunity to check in with one another.

It’s hard to know where this community would be without Geekwire’s involvement the last few years. Would the Seattle Times and Puget Sound Business Journal have been able to whip 800 entrepreneurial and tech enthusiasts into a kind of extended family who cooperate more than compete with each other? Would we all know the brand names of a few companies poised to be the next Zulily? I think not.

And in an industry still made up of more men than women, it was fantastic to see Julie Sandler and Jane Park given two of the top individual awards – for Geek of the Year and CEO of the Year respectively. In addition to her day job at Madrona, Julie has pushed tirelessly to encourage more young girls to pursue tech careers. And Jane is running one of the fastest growing non-tech businesses in the region.

I don’t think any more people could fit into EMP, and I don’t know how long you’d have to make the event in order to chat with everyone you know there. But it’s nice that in an environment that delivers more struggles than solutions, you know there’s a community rooting for each other. And that’s really what the Geekwire Awards are all about – a place to recognize the ones who made it, and be inspired to follow them on stage next year.