The franchise apologists are popping up loudly in Seattle's various proposals to raise the minimum wage, with the typical argument that because franchise rules prevent franchisees from raising their prices to accommodate increased labor costs. But, guess what sports fans, fast food in Hawaii and Alaska can cost about…

It's funny that lobster, crab, shrimp, etc. is associated with fancy/expensive food, when most seafood in seafood-abundant areas was traditionally associated with the poor. When my dad was a kid, he would go to the beach and dig clams or dive for abalone or crabs because it was a free and delicious way to help put…

Years ago when I was a baby office drone, my bank advertised that if you ever had to wait more than 10 minutes in line, they would give you $10. Every payday I would rush to the bank on my lunch hour, check the time and wait. I got that $10 almost every time - paid for the first pitcher at payday happy hour.

Nicole Ritchie's lavender hair is so very adorable.

Do you have Stellar Jays? Stellar Jays going after a crow is hilarious. They basically scream "go away" in bird talk over and over. They also do this to my cat, even though she is on a leash and could not get near their nests.

I'm far from a celebrity, but I can imagine wanting to protect the privacy of your homes much as possible. Imagine, every house cleaner, babysitter, pool guy, plumber - each of these people is a potential leak to the press.

I live in your city, Lindy, and the coolest thing I've ever seen from my backyard is a murder of crows harassing a bald eagle to keep it away from their nests. Crows, ravens and all of the genus Corvus are freaking awesome. Except when they eat blackberries and poop on my car.

Epsilon Iota is a nonfrat (or fauxternity, if you will)

I only got 32 out of 70, but I don't think it's a fair test to include British swears since I would look like a total arseing douchecanoe using those as an American.

Word. I've got laundry to fold and need to deep condition my hair and loofah my heels.

I've had an osteotomy (bunion surgery) as part of a joint repair on one foot. Bunions are not necessarily caused by high heels (my RN cousin who only wears nurse shoes had to have both feet done in her 20s - Thanks DNA) and the surgery may be covered by insurance. But, painful!!! and my foot aches sometimes even…

My husband studied under a master shoemaker (or cordwainer - a cobbler repairs shoes) and he occasionally makes me shoes which fit my wonky feet. But, a pair of bespoke shoe can take 50-120 hours to make, so they are expensive.

She has a pack of rescue dogs - I bet I can guess who's cleaning up after that pooping baby.

Could be location- and travel-purpose-specific. My Aussies were on the pro-am surfing tours, either participating or watching.

That bee pollen is really just rock cocaine. Sorry about the mix up.

Aw, I hate to hear that about Australians because they were my favorite foreigners back in my bartending days.

I used to peeve hard on "no problem" until I made the connection with "de nada" and "de rien." Great point.

I'd like to go to a museum with your grandma, just to see her point out the fakes.

My wedding dress was green, so now there are enough of us for a club.

Seattle had something like this back in the 90s - bar/cafe in front, coin-op laundry to the side, live music in the back. RIP Sit n Spin.