SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Shower thoughts: Bubble balls, drugs, and an Elton John tribute

Apr 12, 2018, 3:22 PM

Let’s do some Thursday Shower Thoughts.

Ahh, April in the Pacific Northwest. Mornings of 45 degrees and rain coming sideways, followed by hail, and then sunny and 65 in the afternoon. What the heck weather, are you drunk? Get it together!

RELATED: Thoughts about time travel and snubbing Trump

Bubble ball

Update on the bubble ball debacle. In case you missed it, I was duped by the packaging on some bubble balls for Don’s son’s birthday. It’s the perfect gift for an 8 year old. Not only will it completely annoy Don, it will delight his son to be inside an inflatable transparent ball and run into another kid also inside a ball. Only one problem, the package makes it seem like you’re buying a set of bubble balls when you’re only buying one bubble ball.

Luckily, I was able to procure a second bubble ball and deliver it to the birthday boy.

Seattle Restaurant Week

Hat’s off to whoever came up with the idea for Seattle Restaurant Week. I love it. Over 165 local restaurants give you three courses for $33. It’s such a great idea. I’m taking my niece out to one tonight.

Taxes

You get your taxes done yet? Nah, me neither.

Drug addiction in Portugal

I’ve had a few people ask me about the book I read on how Portugal solved their opioid addiction problem. It’s called “Chasing the Scream” by Johann Hari. If you have an open mind, and want to see what actually works, I encourage you to get a copy. If you are more invested into your preconceived notions about drugs, then this book will just make you mad.

I will add that I did visit Portugal and spoke at length with several locals about their approach, and people there are thrilled with the results.

Mariners

I just bought my first Mariners tickets of the season. M’s vs. Angels in May. I admit I’m infatuated with the Shohei Otani story. The Japanese Babe Ruth has been living up to the hype so far. As a pitcher, he took his second start into the 7th inning with a perfect game and a 100 mph fastball. As a designated hitter, he hit three home runs in his first week in the bigs. I’m looking forward to this game.

Elton John tribute

And finally, check out the new tribute album to Elton John called “Revamp.” It’s got a little bit of everyone. Queens of the Stone Age doing “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and Lady Gaga doing “Your Song.” Also on the album Pink, Coldplay, Mumford & Dons, and Miley Cyrus. It’s a fun listen.

Alright, that’s it.

You can hear “What are we talking about here?” everyday at 4:45 p.m. on 97.3 FM.

More from Ron Upshaw

The Gee and Ursula Show...

Ursula Reutin

Ask Ursula: My wife says it’s her or ‘The Gee and Ursula Show.’ What should I do?

A listener in Spain says his wife is tired of podcasts she can’t understand. Ursula offers advice on balancing his listening habits with their marriage.

5 minutes ago

Winter driving prep; don't be the reason for a pass closing...

Chris Sullivan

Don’t be the driver who shuts down a mountain pass: Get winter-ready

Call it a practice run for the rest of the winter. Our first snow storm of the season this week provided a reminder that it's time to get our cars in shape.

6 minutes ago

Associated Press

2 college students found dead after going missing during Colorado hike

Two Colorado college students have been found dead after going missing during a hiking trip in the Rocky Mountains last weekend when a heavy snowstorm hit, authorities said. The bodies of Kaden Matsuda, 19, of Ridgway, Colorado, and Jackson Donlon, 20, of New York, were found Wednesday afternoon in a basin of West Apostle Mountain, […]

29 minutes ago

FILE - Clockmaker Scott Gow adjusts the hands of a clock at the Electric Time Company, Oct. 30, 202...

Associated Press

Senate is skeptical about making daylight saving time permanent despite Trump’s pressure

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is unlikely to act before the end of the year on a House-passed bill that would make daylight saving time permanent, defying President Donald Trump and dashing the hopes of Americans who don’t like having to change their clocks twice a year. As daylight saving time ends early Sunday and […]

1 hour ago

The front of Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple is seen in Aurora, Ill., Thursday, Oct. 15, 202...

Associated Press

Chicago-area Hindu community shaken but resilient after alleged mass shooting plan was thwarted

CHICAGO (AP) — A thwarted mass shooting at a Hindu temple near Chicago is stoking new fears for the area’s South Asian community, tainting a typically joyful season of faith and family gatherings. Members of the targeted temple and others in the area said they are seeking comfort in preserving traditions, determined to celebrate the […]

5 hours ago

FILE -Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud speaks during the 81st session of the United Nation...

Associated Press

UN political mission ends in Somalia with no agreed replacement to handle election dispute

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — The United Nations’ political mission in Somalia ends Saturday, closing more than three decades of successive U.N. missions that helped rebuild a country shattered by civil war and leaving no agreed replacement to help rival leaders resolve disputes. The government calls the closure a milestone in Somalia’s ability to manage its […]

6 hours ago

Shower thoughts: Bubble balls, drugs, and an Elton John tribute