The Bellingham Podcast

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

No matter the weather, at least the mics stay warmBellingham Winter Storm 2024- https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/bellingham-residents-brace-storm-several-inches-snow-forecasted/G64T5EJFVRHV3NH4R7P5KFMRYQ/ Washington blizzard 1950 - https://www.seattlepi.com/local/weather/article/Tacoma-snow-storm-1950-video-archive-history-13533250.php * https://www.historylink.org/File/8079Health and WellnessChris- Whole30 | https://whole30.com/Whatcom County Mental Health- https://www.whatcomcounty.us/3294/Mental-HealthSAD- Seasonal Affected Disorder https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651 SAD and Seattle - https://www.seattletimes.com/life/wellness/seattle-rainy-season-brings-on-seasonal-affective-disorder-heres-the-deal-with-sad/ DGR- Distinguished Gentilmea’s Ride Supporting a Friend or Family Member with Mental Health Problems - https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/how-to-talk/friends-and-family-members This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

Thank you all so much again for another year of supporting the podcast! After a few weeks of sickness, Chris’ sweet baritone voice is back in action just in time to punch out on 2023. From Chris and AJ of your Bellingham Podcast, we hope you have a happy holiday season, a fun and safe new year, and stay warm here in the City by the Salish Sea. Local Updates:Bellingham old Terminal Building fire* Cascadia Daily | https://www.cascadiadaily.com/news/2023/dec/18/community-rallies-around-those-impacted-by-terminal-building-fire/* City of Bellingahm | https://cob.org/news/2023/update-on-fairhaven-terminal-building-fire-2 * KING 5 news | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/bellingham/historic-bellingham-building-damaged-unstable-overnight-fire/281-bcd2be6d-b1f9-48aa-9d7a-47a77a4a67daGone Diving, our last remaining dive shop to be sold/ to close in 2024 https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Exciting-News.html?soid=1101457878512&aid=YLnw95jf7cIChris: A Charlie Brown Canvas Christmas AJ: Analog Explorer (Season 4) Made Under Pressure Podcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

Happy Thanksgiving (USA), everyone! AJ’s dive to the HCMS Annapolis Chris’ Retirement Tech* Proton Mail | https://proton.me/mail* Signal Messenger | https://signal.org/download/Quality Assurance Chris- COF& https://colcofy.com/AJ - Amendment 21 (Hotel Leo) - https://www.thehotelleo.com/dining Thank you for reading The Bellingham Podcast . This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

We were offline and off-air for September due to scheduling. Sch-edu-ling, the latin phrase for “life got busy between working, dading, and living.” But Chris and AJ are back for October, or as AJ predicted Doc-tober. Adobe MAX 2023 session hosted by AJ VS203Made Under Pressure Podcast (coming soon)Guest hosted by the Analog Explorer | AJ to present Travelogue | October 19Details here Belling-home human interest mention * Bellingham’s CTK travel group stuck in middle eas* KOMO * KIRO* KING Quality Assurance Solitude * Reclaiming Conversation | Sherry TurkleSilence* In Pursuit of Silence Chris Hadfield* The Apollo Murders * NEW| The Defector This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

Lightning strike fire | BellinghamTravel Dispatches: 📍Mt. Storm KingLake Crescent | Olympic National ParkQuality Assurance Streaming on Apple TV+ https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/still-a-michael-j-fox-movie/ Metrosafe X Anti-Theft 16-Inch Commuter Backpack Sept. 10 Clean Up Lake Samish - Gone Diving and Bellingham Parks DeptCome out and help us clean up Lake Samish!Join us on September 10th to clean up a popular recreation spot on the Eastern shore of Lake Samish. We are partnering with Whatcom Parks to dispose of the garbage we remove. Find more details as well as upcoming classes in our e-news or contact the shop! https://conta.cc/3QTw2yU This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

On this July episode, pardon the clanks and extra noise filtering in the episode - we had a guest construction worker fire up a tractor as we started recording from….New “Scramble Nature Park” at Barkley VillageDiving in and around BellinghamCleaning up Lake WhatcomCleaning up Lake SamishPuget Sound Sea LifeQuality Assurance & New Gear* Bose - Quiet Comfort * SoundCore - Q45 Space* Wacaco - Picopresso* “Unreasonable Hospitality” - Book This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

In this May-June episode, as summer begins to ramp up in the PNW, are you thinking of visiting  Bellingham? Tune in to AJ and Chris' rundown of how to make your way up to the city by the Salish Sea and what to wrap up in your trip. Welcome to WhatcomTraveling to Bellingham* BLI - Mostly non-stop flights to Las Vegas, Denver, Seattle, Phoenix, Los Angeles and the San Juan Islands. * Amtrak (King Station to Fairhaven)* Seattle Lightrail construction expanding north, south, east. * Airporter - Bellair Shuttles * Flixbus - Economical tickets from Bellingham to Seattle, eco-friendly, too!From Bellingham* Mount Baker Wilderness* Semi-ah-moo - A casual northwest seaside resort* Seaside BBQ & Live Music summer schedule* Theater on the Terrace - free family-friendly performances from Shakespeare NW - Saturday June 10 only* Vancouver/Surrey/ Lower Mainland* SquamishUniquely Whatcom* Taylor Shellfish Farms - Chuckanut * Larrabee State Park* Chuckanut Drive* Whatcom Falls/ Lake Whatcom * Mountain Bike mecca - Whatcom Mountain Bike Club* Northwest Corner Goods - Bellingham Flag and other souvenirs, on Cornwall StreetHoteling vs AirBnB’ing Quality AssuranceAJ - Spring Made Straps Chris - Live music, dance, and theater performances year ‘roundWWU Music EventsWWU Dance EventsWWU Theater EventsMake sure you are parked in the right area! And have the free Parkmobile App on your Apple or Android phone. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

Chris and AJ are back from travel and have more coming up. Be sure to check the show notes, or consider becoming a free subscriber, on Substack for link and photos. Observations traveling post-pandemic:* An economy ticket is just that … don’t expect to keep your overhead bag* “Juice- Jacking”- Powerstations and security concerns- bring your own plug* Real ID* “On May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.”* Wa DOT* “Will DOL still offer standard driver's licenses and ID cards?Yes, we'll continue to offer standard driver licenses and ID cards that can be used by Washington residents to drive, or serve as identification. They don't indicate a person's residency, or legal status. However, beginning May 7, 2025, they will no longer be accepted as valid forms for ID for boarding domestic flights.”How do we travel?AJ* Gear * Cottopaxi Alpa 42* Tenba Tools Wrap* Retroid Pocket* SoundCore Q20+* AirTags* Manta Sleep Mask* iHome multiport USB-C folding charger Chris* Gear* GoRuck GR1 21L backpack* Economical noise-cancelling earbuds* Printed QR code for boarding pass* $60 in cash, mainly in fives for tipping shuttle drivers and other misc expenses* Hidden Device detector* Anker 735 Charger* Bose Soundlink Micro - approx $65 on EbayTuro | alternative “car rental” https://turo.com/Helena MontanaSt. Helena Cathedral Thank you for reading The Bellingham Podcast . This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

Coming soon, AJ and Chris give their observations of post-pandemic travel from Bellingham. Stay tuned to the feed or to KMRE 102.3fm or KMRE.org This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

Shipwreck - Seattle TimesChris’ Analog Book Report - Three takeaways“…the objective of automation is clear - it is to relieve body and mind of the burden of labor.”Robert Hassan, Analog (The MIT Press Essential Knowledge series) book“For those companies that went remote in the pandemic, the debts accrued by their surrender to digital continue to mount: a debt of talent and creativity, of ideas, culture, and the interpersonal ties that make a companymuch more than the work it does.”David Sax, The Future is Analog book“The analog businesses succeeding today, despite digital competition, are those that have been able to really create and emphasize credibility.”Arrigo Berni, The Revenge of Analog bookAnalog Tools - Fix, Make, Create, ExplorePrimerEarnest Elmo Calkins - OG homie behind planned obsolescence or consumer engineering thorugh consumerism and advertising circa 20sMaker* Sewing machine- Got a hole, need a patch?* Cricut machine* Drummel “rotary” tool Household stuff/toys* Chris’ ubiquitous screwdriver set - Boxer Tool 30-piece precision setAround Bellingham* Shoe Stop - Bellis Fair* Doucet Guitar Works - State Street* Hardware Sales - Bellingham TechiFixIT- mobile devicesWatchmaking* Time Concepts - King Street by Lakeway Fred Meyer* Roldorf & Co - VancouverQuality AssuranceAJ - Hodinkee | Watches in the Wild Chris - Two alternative sites* LibRedirect - Alternative websites for big tech companies* FarSide.link - Up-to-date alternative websites for big tech companies, but self-hosted by folks around the world This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

This marks 7 years of the Bellingham Podcast 🍻- thank you each and everyone of you who have followed, listened, and supported AJ and Chris and the Bellingham Podcast. Analog Notes - More than just Pen and PaperZettelkasten method - Created by Niklas Luhmann, a personal tool for writing and thinking that creates connections to thoughts and produces insightsPaper Dreams - AJ & Chris’ primary source in Bellingham for journals, notepads, and other paper to get your thoughts downJetpens.com - An extensive site for writing tools and materialsVaultz - Storage container for index cards, in Chris’ case 4x6 index cardsLamy Safari Rollerball Pen - It’s 2023. You deserve more than a standard Bic pen with a chewed cap. Plus, when you spend $20 on a writing tool, your mind shifts to serious mode when you begin writing. #AnalogMindsetTime Blocking by Cal Newport - Dedicated time to triage scribbles and accumulated thoughts during the day or weekLuchttrum 1917- Outline notebook- water resistant paperSkilcraft B3 aviator pen - the perfect compact trifecta of pencil, black and red penAnalog note-taking inspirationRyan Holiday - Popular author of Stoic-related books, accomplished note takerMaria Popova from Brainpickings.com - An outstanding method to capture ideas from reading books to quickly distill and recall laterQuality AssuranceAJ 🤿Nitrogen narcosis - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_narcosis Clarkson’s Farm- or “Jeremey’s love-letter to British Farming” available on Prime streamingChris - Max Richter’s Sleep: Tranquility Base - A 30-minute EP of slow soundscapes to augment your focused analog life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

Chris | The Cribbage Master, Double Solitaire ExtraordinaireAJ | The Geek and Gamer DadPlaces to go in the PNW for games/gaming (West, North, East) * Seattle/Bellevue | Mox Boardinghouse https://www.moxboardinghouse.com/* Spokane | Dragon Parlor Games - https://dragon-parlor-games-llc-624662.shoplightspeed.com/* Bellingham | Aegis Games (formerly Dark Tower) - https://aegislgs.com/ * Fairhaven | Cardhaven - “…place to buy cards, play games, and enjoy a full bar.” - https://www.cardhavengames.com/History of gaming (from the educator’s perspective) * Teaching rules, math, strategy, patience, focus, attention* History* The “rise” in popularity of “tabletop game” genera https://stonemaiergames.com/top-10-reasons-for-the-rise-in-popularity-of-tabletop-games/ * How old is old games? https://www.oldest.org/entertainment/board-games/ * Oldest still-played game | MancalaDeclutter your closet with games you DON’T play, and those childhood ones (Candyland isn’t as cool as you remember). #MinimalismClassic Games* Backgammon (about 3000bce)* PNW made edition https://orcasislandleather.com/collections/featured-leather-kits/products/travel-backgammon-board * Cribbage (around 1600s) * History https://www.britannica.com/topic/cribbage * PNW made edition The Wood Merchant in La Connor https://www.woodmerchant.com/product_search_results.cfm* Local cribbage scene?* Menace Brewing - Learn Cribbage and Wednesday Cribbage nights https://www.bellingham.org/eventdetail/25228/cribbage-learning-night-at-menace * Shout-out to Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center’s formerly-annual “Compete for a Cause” Cribbage Tournament, last held in 2019 at Boundary Bay Brewery.Card Games* Deep Sea Adventure - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/169654/deep-sea-adventure* Here To Slay - https://www.unstablegames.com/collections/here-to-slay * Poetry for Neanderthals - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/312786/poetry-neanderthalsTabletop Games* Sea of Clouds - http://seaofclouds.iello.fr/en/ * Diamant (Incan Gold here in the USA) - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/15512/incan-gold Co-op* Forbidden Island - https://gamewright.com/product/Forbidden-IslandQuality AssuranceGamemaster- The Perfect Bid documentary - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6854248/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

Happy holidays everyone! Thank you so much to each of you for another year os support! Welcome to the final episode of 2022!Updates* Analog Explorer Podcast x Zulu Time podcast crossover episode 14* Podcast sponsor Anchor.fm* Thank you to AE Substack and Patreon paid subscribersNew in BellinghamRitual Records - https://www.ritual-records.com/* Previously Reported EM Closing after 17 years https://www.westernfrontonline.com/article/2022/06/everyday-music-closing Nomad Charcuterie and Wine - https://www.instagram.com/nomadbellingham/ * For the non-drinker who enjoys bitters : * Hella - https://hellacocktail.co/pages/bitters-soda COF& - 784 Kentucky St and on 1203 Cornwall Ave* https://www.cascadiadaily.com/news/2022/mar/02/the-roots-of-cof-bellinghams-new-colombian-coffee-shop/LOCUS - Where Coffee meets Beer “Casual, colorful cafe providing sandwiches, wraps & snacks, plus creative desserts, coffee & drinks.” closes around 8pm 120 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA 98225 https://locusofbellingham.com/* Founder: Kaycee Originating from Yelm, Washington, Kaycee came up north to attend WWU, achieving a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and minor in sport psychology. After settling here with her husband, she fell in love with Bellingham even more and began toying with the idea of starting her own business. She has been in the service industry for 12+ years and making delicious espresso for 10. One of the first to graduate college and the first woman entrepreneur in her family. If you do not find her working on her next big move in business, she loves to go on walks with her two dogs or secretly curling up to the fire with a glass of wine devouring a box of pizza!Looking forwardAJ- * Some Analog Explorer related stuff being prototyped * Word of Note | Misogi- Japanese Shinto practice of ritual purification- that is often referenced to Shugendo - the “Way of Trial and Practice” * Diving* TravelChris- Have a great holiday season, and see you next year!Sincerely,AJ & Chris This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

The Bellingham Podcast is a listener supported podcast. For full show notes with links, photos, videos, and more be sure to support AJ & Chris and consider becoming a subscriber to the Bellingham Podcast on Substack | BellinghamPodcast.Substack.com. The Chatter AJMeeting a GPO 🐙 in the wild | www.analogexplorer.substack.com/p/meeting-the-gentle-giant-of-the-pnw* Typsim Watches - Seattle Wa. USAThe NewsGuess who’s back? “Now open for pierogi pickup, takeout, and a limited menu for inside or sidewalk dining.” Sat/Sun 9.30 - 2 pm. https://www.magdalenascreperie.com -* and celebrated her 13th year as a restaurant reopening the week of her original opening Scone Grone + Quantum LeafKMRE Raise the Antenna fundraiser and auction “Saving Christmas Town” @MBT December 3 & 4 Shoutout to @NoBoxNoPaper for question to the show The Upcoming Holidays - A Different MindsetAJ-WildMaterials- Lissa Clear 2500 Elm St Suite 10 Board Games for the family* DragonWood (mentioned before) * DragonRealm (think DragonWood part 2)* Orcas Island Leather Goods - Travel Backgammon board Adagio Teas- find a tea themed for anyone Seattle made watch- Typsim”The design, fabrication, and testing of Typsim watches is a worldwide production. Components are fabricated in Switzerland, Hong Kong, & the United States of America, chronometer certification happens in France, but at the center is the Typsim workshop located in Seattle, WA, USA where the design, assembly, and final quality assurance takes place.” * AJ’s Deep dive 🤿 with Typsim on wrist | * Noir (pre-sale) Chris - Monthly gifts or experiences in 2023, aligned with the Five Love Languages.* One book a month from Village Books from your special someone’s reading wishlist. https://www.villagebooks.com * #Gifts #WordsOfAffirmation (your message inside the book to your recipient)* A pint a month for your special someone (over 21) at a different location in Bellingham. https://www.taptrail.com/locations * #Gifts #QualityTime* A new board game a month for your little, also found at Village Books.* #Gifts #QualityTime* A massage a month for your special someone. Locations all around Bellingham.* #Gifts #PhysicalTouchRad or SadAJ - Is it the end of the late night coffee shop? * Makeworth closes by 3pm* Woods downtown closes by 5pm* Lettered Streets Coffee closes by 3 pmChris - The decline of big tech companies. * New Yorker article* Slate Article* Washington Post articleQuality AssuranceAJ* If you are a fan of Clive Cussler (RIP) Sam and Remi Fargo Adventure series or Jason Heaton’s Depth Charge Series | Deep Shadow by Nick Sullivan (The Deep Series) [Libro.FM Link here] * https://www.tropicalauthors.com/Chris* How to Resist Amazon and Why by Danny Caine - non-Amazon link to purchase the book* A solar-powered website - https://solar.lowtechmagazine.com* An article of note - How and Why I Stopped Buying New LaptopsBe A Canvas Insider This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

Chris and AJ are back after a much…MUCH longer than anticipated break. The News |Episode 217 [for the month of October] marks the fist episode for the show moving to its new schedule, both in podcast and on KMRE 102.3 FM, as a now monthly podcast. After 6 years of being weekly, yes Chris and AJ still gregariously enjoy each-other’s company on the mic, but unfortunately work-home-life balancing isn’t as nimble as it used to be for scheduling even 3 years ago. So to keep an actual sustainable production schedule, the Bellingham Podcast will be a monthly show from this episode moving forward. Thank you, all of YOU! For all your continued support and listenership wherever you like to tune into us. What’s been keeping Chris and AJ busy and not podcasting? From AJ | Meet the CharlotteFrom Chris | Be A Canvas Insider This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

Visku - An Icelandic word for wisdom.AJ’s Visku - for you!Philosophy | The Mountain Doesn’t Care. It doesn’t care if we live, if we die. If we summit, or turn around. And in the end, when we are all long gone, it will out live us all. SO, learn from that. Find your grounding wherever you are with nature. Finances| Stay within your means and perhaps evaluate the utility cost over time* HODINKEE Radio Episode 4: Om Malik Photography | Get your photos printed. Carry one in your wallet even (you might even be hip to do so, cool to be so retro?) Food | Evaluate not just what you eat, but WHY you eat what you eat. Chris’ Visku - it’s true!Parking in a grocery store parking lot - backing inAssuming other drivers will speed through the right lane and merge quickly ahead of you as two lanes become one. Visku gives us the ability to let them go ahead of you.Files on your computer | back them up or they never existed. Time-shifting your workday - 30 minutes earlierTwins- Pro tip, twin base guitars to hot swap between them in the middle of performances Crowing about ContentAJAnalog Explorer | Available now on Substack Chris’ Greyman Technology newsletter, Canvas Insider newsletter and podcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

Aikoku - A Japanese word for grief, mourning, or lamentationA Proposed Playlist to Embrace your Inner Mope* David Bowie - Changes* Bob Dylan - The Times They Are a Changin’* Elton John - Sad Songs Say So Much* Boyz II Men - It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye* Lukas Graham - 7 Years Where are AJ and Chris experiencing Aikoku in Bellingham?AJMagdalena’s Creperie in Fairhaven - Aug 2, 2022 *Restaurant closed but: see this update*The pandemic has helped so many hit the trails | the Aikoku of this, is that so many now are out on the trails. Twin Lakes | Winchester Everyday Music - Closes mid-Aug 2022Chris Black Drop Coffeehouse - January 2022Fairhaven Pizza - March 2022Film is Truth - April 2022Uisce Irish Pub - End of August 2022 15 minutes to anywhere in BellinghamScheduling appointments with your doctor, vet, counselor, or other professional within one week’s time.Coffee shops playing music conducive for conversations or work/study, and staff who used their “inside voice” when chatting with co-workers.Walking along trails without hearing other people’s bluetooth speakers playing their music loudly.Free parking in downtown FairhavenA non-intrusive experience browsing in a retail store on Meridian Street.Tips to avoid unnecessary AikokuIn the rush to be “first to report.” don’t immediately believe everything you read in online news sites #CorrectionsResist the urge to mean-tweet or mean-post.Check the Bellingham sub-reddit for updated comments while maintaining a cautious mindset. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com

Bellingham Farmers Markets* The original on Railroad Avenue - Celebrating its 30th anniversary! | Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm. [Chris’ early connection with the Farmers Market]* Waterfront June 1 - Sept 14 | Wednesdays | 4-7 pm @ 300 West Laurel St* Barkley Village Market | Thursdays | 11:00am -2:00 pm @ Barkley Village Green, 2215 Rimland Drive* lunch, live music, and local vendors. Bring your picnic blanket and the rest of the family to enjoy the live music, check out the amazing food truck options for lunch, or shop the various local vendors all distanced for safe shopping and dining. Chris - International Man of (Traveling) Mystery* Tips for heading north of the border 🇨🇦🇺🇸* ArriveCan is your homey - you don’t need their app* A phone with multiple profiles, one for travel?* The Essentialist’s tech travel gear* Get ready for new travel requirements in 2023 (at least in Washington State) ID2023.com (may not work with VPNs…boo hiss)* Another trip around the sunAJ * back from NEA Eczema Expo conference. AJ’s family backstory with his son’s conditions across the life of the podcast * https://nationaleczema.org/eczema-expo/* https://nationaleczema.org/* Kids and family friendly | shout out to the young lady who paints toys for kids with eczema * Shout out to Jeremy AJ open water scuba diver* Gone Diving dive shop in Bellingham* Quality Assurance:AJ - DragonWood Chris - Bellingham Public Library’s Newsbank - Read newspapers for free on your browser This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com