Us fine, funky D20 Brass Band folks were invited to play tonight's opening of an amazing Star Wars costume exhibit at EMP. Though at first only licensed, sanctioned costumes were allowed we were given the green light a couple days before the event to Jedi or Sith ourselves up.

At least when it's cold. I saw (and stepped on) the phenomenon known as needle ice today as we were doing some outdoor Christmas light planning.

We woke up to our first snow in the new house in West Seattle today. Here are a few photos of the scene!

Nothing brightens a gray Northwest day like friends and a stroll through a place lush with Fall color. Connie and I joined Matt and Kelly for a visit to the Seattle Japanese Garden and, let me tell you, it's worth the $6 entry fee -- especially now.

With a D20 Brass Band gig on Whidbey Island schedule this evening I headed out early in the afternoon to catch the ferry. Though the day was soggy with rain I met up early at Greenbank Farm for a tour of the property and to snap some photos.

As a member of D20 Brass Band, I pride myself on our playing, professional attitude, and our costumes. Though I don't have a particular nerdy character I cosplay I green it up as much as I can.

We were fortunate today in West Seattle we got to enjoy a partial solar eclipse despite some dicey weather swirling all around us. I rigged up my camera, got out some glasses from previous solar eclipses I watched in 2000 and 2002, and snapped away.

Clearings in the storm meant great views of some towering clouds against the Seattle skyline.

I'm always keen to photograph and share sunrises like this. Especially as the cloudy and darker months descend upon us here in the Pacific Northwest.

Aaron's son Gideon turned 4 today so Connie and I drove through busy weekend road closure downtown Seattle traffic north to the Woodland Park Zoo. We wandered through the exhibits for a bit once there then had a blast riding and watching the party kids ride the beautiful carousel.

Adventure planned and adventure achieved today! My brother and his family came up yesterday to join us for the weekend and to take my newphews to their first BrickCon!

With my sister Toni in town Connie and I whisked her around Seattle for a delightful day out. First, breakfast at the ever fantastic Hudson.