Week 42: Huskies, Purple Rain and more.

Week 42: October 15-21st, 2023

This week, I went back up to Seattle for the weekend. This time was different, because I was able to do some touristy things I did not have time for back in Week 35 during PAX West. It was hard to fit a bunch of activities into a long weekend, especially because my friend is a law student at the University of Washington and actually has class (barf) and homework (double barf). Since my job is remote, I was able to bring my work laptop and only spent one day on PTO.

The University of Washington was never on my radar as a potential school when I was applying for college. I was not interested in a cold, rainy place (see: moving to San Diego and never leaving), and the out-of-state tuition was yet another deterrent. However, I was pleasantly surprised this past weekend while I was pretending to be a U Dub law student.

Gloomy fountain on U Dub Campus

The campus was a mixture of old brick libraries and new, modern buildings. There was a very forest-y feel to the whole thing.

A show of support for Palestine from students.

After I got a brief tour of campus, we went to the Huskies football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils. It was a different experience from the few, humble SDSU games I went to. Schools with actual football teams (sorry Aztecs!), that are ranked in the Top 5, do it way differently.

To put it lightly, the University of Washington has a massive fan base. The tailgates are real tailgates. The crowds were even more wild than normal because it was family weekend/homecoming. I saw a lot of dads playing beer pong and quite a number of sorority moms pulling Fireball shooters out of their purses for their kids. It was a funny sight.

The main proof of the difference in top ranking schools is when the school makes the students pay for their game tickets. The games aren't free for anyone. You can get season tickets as a student for like $180 or something. Don't worry, you still get to pay tuition too! I know this phenomenon isn't uncommon for top ranking schools, I just think its a little cheap. I kept thinking about the insane amount of money that must funnel into the school from football. At the very least, they could spare a little couch cushion change for their loyal students.

Before the game, our view from the student section.

Because the school colors are purple and gold, their "thing" at football games is Purple Reign. I was pleased to hear Prince's 'Purple Rain' played multiple times between plays, alongside a fan-led karaoke of Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing.'

Obviously, I'm not a huge American football fan. I cheered and booed when I was supposed to, but I wasn't too invested in the game. My lack of investment didn't matter. There were a couple groups around us in the student section that were... incredibly passionate. Their overwhelming love for the game was evident from the colorful insults they yelled at the refs. Despite being against Arizona State, who apparently isn't very good this season, the Huskies struggled to find their footing. I was honestly just glad the Huskies pulled out a win. The entire stadium erupted when finally, a touchdown was made. My ears are still ringing from it. It was fun, but I think my favorite part of the entire game was seeing Dubs, the school mascot.

He was howling along to the karaoke! Sorry for the blurry photo, it doesn't do Dubs justice.

Apparently, Dubs is the ninth(?) real husky the school has had as their mascot. There was a little blurb about Dubs in the game booklets they were handing out to everyone. It mentioned the first mascot was introduced by a frat and was named something like "Frosty." The next one was named For continuity, the school has decided that all future mascots will henceforth be named "Dubs." I thought that showed a lack of creativity, but I guess Dubs is a cute name. I just wonder where Dubs sleeps at night.* Does he live at the school? Is his handler also his owner? What type of toys does he like? Does he have to be at every single game? Is he treated as royally as the athletes are? I frickin' hope so!

*(Edit: I found this page online, where it says Dubs is part of an alumni family. Good.)

It wouldn't have been a true trip to Seattle without actual, non-purple rain, which I got to enjoy as I shivered and cheered till the end of the football game. I will now take this opportunity to say that football games are way too long, especially when its raining.

Apparently using an umbrella, no matter how practical it may be, is a sign of a (gasp!) tourist in Seattle (the horror!). So, I just suffered through the spit-like drizzle and took the L on hair and makeup management.

I was really excited to go back and visit because the Seattle Aquarium did a collaboration with Nintendo and Animal Crossing. However, the actual collaboration was underwhelming. They just had some cardboard cutouts of Tom Nook and a few posters up around the exhibits. They didn't even have anything I could get for my sister from the gift shop. Anyways, apart from that, the aquarium itself was awesome. My favorite part was the jellyfish, and of course, the puffins were cute, too.

The outside of the Seattle Aquarium!

An example of the underwhelming Animal Crossing collaboration.

The underwater dome

A funny puffin at the aquarium

We had time to carve a husky(?) pumpkin and visit the Space Needle.

I fell in love with this bat decoration while shopping for pumpkins

I'll admit its a bit wolf-like, but it does the job.

I felt verrrrrry short.

The expansive (and expensive) Space Needle Gift Shop had glass balls! Shoutout to Granny<3

We also went to Kerry Park and Carkeek Park so I could truly experience the wonder that is gloomy Puget Sound.

The view from Kerry Park

The train tracks at Carkeek Park

Some yummy green water with ducks!

I found this little guy on the Carkeek beach... Where is his family...?

A massive leaf! It is officially Autumn!

My gorgeous view from the plane ride back to San Diego.

I'm glad I got to return to Seattle and experience more tourist-y things like the aquarium, Seattle Center and the Space Needle, and a real college football game. I think I am growing a little weekend travel bug, and plan to explore other cities when I can. For now, though, I'm glad to be home, where it is not raining, and in my own bed.

See you next week.