* For these purposes, "Tacoman" will be defined as "a hip and savvy person in-the-know who happens to live in Tacoma."**
** For these purposes, "a hip and savvy person in-the-know who happens to live in Tacoma" will be defined as "myself, or someone that I associate with."
*** Alternate post title: "What I do in Tacoma." Thought this one sounded more authoritative, even despite all of the footnotes.
- Know at least one person who knows someone who knew Ted Bundy. Relate the story to every out-of-towner who comes to visit.
- Shop at Sanford and Sons.
- Know that Sanford and Sons is more than just an old TV show.
- Watch "10 Things I Hate About You" to catch glimpses of high school friends, but shriek in bitterness every time the cameras pan from Stadium High School or the North Tacoma home to the Seattle skyline.
- Buy lunch at Infinite Soups. Little more than a hot soup counter next to Malarky's, this place is frequented by pretty much every person in Tacoma.
- Run into acquaintances or acquaintances of acquaintances every time they go out.
- Avoid The Swiss like the plague.
- Run the Point Defiance trails. Get lost.
- Rent a charming Stadium district apartment with hard-wood floors and "personality."
- Eat biscuits and gravy at Marcia's Silver Spoon Cafe.
- Visit the Museum of Glass solely to walk around the outdoor fountains and pay homage to the massive gift shop.
- Memorize the Wikipedia list of people from Tacoma and name-drop as often as possible. "You know who's from Tacoma, right?" Keep a separate mental list of criminals from Tacoma. Share them with everyone.
- Drink exotic cocktails at 1022 South. (Which, ahem, I will be doing this evening at 5:30).
- Maintain exhaustive Twitter relationships with everyone in the Tacoma Twitterverse. Meet up with said people in groups like Social Media Club of Tacoma and Tacoma (Beer) Runners.
- Sing karaoke at The Mix. Finish the evening with dancing at Silverstone, having exhausted all of Tacoma's gay bar options. Save the Tempest Lounge for another day.
- Fill your calendar with the dates of the Sephora and H&M openings at the Tacoma Mall.
- Spout fun facts about Tacoma to anyone who will stand still long enough to listen to you. Who wants to hazard a guess as to where the former tallest totem pole in THE WORLD is located?
- Hate on the haters who live in Tacoma but go on incessantly about how they can't wait to move to A, Portland, or B, Seattle.
- Sport an I <3> T-Town bumper sticker or a 253 window decal. Love on the people who drive cars festooned with Tacoma love.
- Know that 253 is the king of all area codes.
- Do not, under any circumstances, pick up unhygienic-looking hitchhikers outside of the Pierce County Jail at 7 a.m.
Love these old postcards from the Tacoma Public Library's online database. They pretty much say all that needs to be said about Tacoma.
6 comments:
You got your own apartment?!
Things I always tell people about Tacoma: Home to the world's largest wooden dome(by total volume).
My separation from Ted Bundy: I knew someone that lived in the house he lived in when he was a student at UW.
For a dose of the beach: go to Owen Park, or if I have enough time Browns Point Park.
Blueberry picking during the summer at Blueberry Park.
Going to Titlow with a bottle of wine to watch the sunset (more beach) and walk on the train tracks (optional, as trains are frequent)
Play Mankala in Jack Hyde Park, or go to the quiet Thea's Park. Or look for roller dancers on Ruston Way (do people still do this?).
This is making me want to go back to Tacoma. Seriously.
ps - my captcha for this was "aginglog"
I really can't be the only person to leave comments. That just seems weird.
Also, I'm not a huge fan of the color scheme. How about a dark gray background?
Sorry buddy, I like white because it looks clean. How about wear grey-tinted glasses when you're reading?
we moved to Tacoma almost exactly 11 yrs ago and it wasn't long after i announced to hubby i was home and never wanted to leave - and except for a horrible out of place 11 months in South Hill haven't~
i so seriously want one of those i heart T-Town bumper stickers and can't find the damn things anywhere! can you point in somewhere to get one?
Yes! Check out The Northwest Shop in Proctor -- they just reopened after a big flood caused they major water damage. They also have bumpers stickers that say "Admit it Tacoma, You're Beautiful." I love it!
Yes! I LOVE your Tacoma enthusiasm. I, too, am a Tacoma lover. Sure, some things about Tacoma can be a bit frustrating, but it's a pretty great place to live. If Tacoma was a flavor, I'd say it's peanut butter/chocolate. Something for everyone.
Things I love in Tacoma:
Walking my dogs at University of Puget Sound. It's all Harry Potter-like there, and the dogs love it.
Indochine. Nice ambiance, consistently delicious food and great for dates.
Farmers Markets. During the summer, they're almost every day. So many wonderful local producers and creative folk.
Riding my bike around Proctor. Fun to look at all the pretty houses that I probably won't ever be able to afford, and admire their gardens.
Corina Bakery. Everything there is mighty fine.
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