Come on in, the water's fine! (Until it's filled with oil tankers) Credit: Alex Garland
Come on in, the waters fine! (Until its filled with oil tankers)
Come on in, the water’s fine! (Until it’s filled with oil tankers) Alex Garland

The kayaktivists are back: Thirty kayakers flocked to Seattle’s port to protest the expansion of the Kinder-Morgan pipeline in Canada. It would add a barrage of barges and oil tankers to the Pacific Northwest. The company says it can do so in an environmentally friendly fashion. Environmental activists call bullshit. Protests against the pipeline happened this weekend in Burnaby, B.C. where protesters were arrested. Indigenous groups protested earlier this month in Vancouver, B.C.

Former FBI double agent warns about Russia: This guy lives in Seattle. He was a former double agent for the FBI. That’s all this KING5 article says about that. I feel like we need more information about what life as a double agent is like. Regardless, he says there are Russian operatives on U.S. soil and that Seattle is a target because of the tech industry. Seattle is a hotbed for spy activity. Thanks, Bezos.

Putin wins in a landslide: It was a record win for Vladimir Putin. He won 76.6 percent of the vote and secured another six years of power. Putin’s opposition pointed to instances of vote-rigging and ballot manipulation. There was video evidence. But, that was ignored. It’s almost like Putin is a dictator.

Yeah, okay, Vlad: I am reassured. Are you?

Wi-Fi a necessity: For you and me and for people in homeless camps. It’s no longer seen as a luxury but a utility. Money proposed for Wi-Fi by the City Council was used for other necessities. However, the Seattle Public Library stepped in as the local Wi-Fi dealer. They visit tent camps once a month with books, library card applications, and hotspots. They have 50 hotspots just for Seattle tent camps. There’s a waitlist for the hotspots and camps can have them for two to four months. Some are worried that having internet access in camps makes them more permanent. But, it’s a basic human need these days and most homeless people use internet access to connect to friends and family or use it for entertainment.

Seattle sidewalk wedding: A local homeless couple was married during a wedding put on by the pop-up kitchen they frequented. It made sense to the organizers of the Rainier Pop-up kitchen; the couple are regulars at the kitchen’s weekly meals. They celebrated the wedding on the same stretch of pavement where the meals were served.

Good news, Seattle cyclists: Sidewalks are fair game. When I first moved to Seattle I was told riding on the sidewalk was illegal. It turns out that, according to municipal law, bicyclists can ride on any Seattle sidewalk as long as it’s in a “careful and prudent manner.” Don’t do it in Bellingham, that’s illegal no matter how careful and prudent.

Local political races heat up: Three Democratic House members and seven Republicans have announced their retirement. Democrats are trying to expand their narrow majority and the Republicans dream of flipping a seat or two. With all of that on the line, who will enter the November race to be Washington’s Next Top Representative?

Retirement hard to sustain for some: The elderly are struggling to afford a more expensive Seattle. Many are on the cusp of becoming homeless. There are social workers dedicated solely to helping vulnerable seniors but it’s a thankless and difficult job. There’s a lot of fear and denial for elderly people in this situation. It has emphasized the need for better housing assistance in King County.

Fourth mysterious bomb detonated in Austin: Three bombs were set off in the Texas capital earlier this month. They were packages left at people’s homes in a heavily black and Hispanic area of the city. Officials suspected the bombings could be racially motivated. This most recent bomb went off in a different part of the city and injured two white men. It wasn’t a package but an explosive on the side of the road believed to be triggered by a tripwire. Officials say the bombs are sophisticated.

Sorry, esports fans: The International is moving to Vancouver, B.C. Yep. We’re all heartbroken to learn that the Dota 2 tournament that’s been a fixture in Seattle for the past four years will be leaving. It drew sold-out crowds at KeyArena. One possible reason for the relocation out of the country is Donald Trump. Last year, the company in charge of the event said it could move out of the country due to the new immigration policy. Will the gamers stand for Trump taking their video game tournaments? When can we expect a gamer march on D.C.?

A different kind of sport: Do Dota 2 athletes have this kind of dedication?

China is living in dystopian hell: Have you heard about China’s social credit system? Well, it’s fucking nuts and you should read that article I linked. Basically, your credit score runs your life in China. It’s like that episode in season three of Black Mirror with Bryce Dallas Howard where your social status is ruled by your social media presence. Now, that’s becoming more and more of a reality in China. Starting in May, Chinese people with low social credit will be banned from planes and trains.

Cherry blossom season: You’re all flocking to the UW quad this week to see the blossoms. Don’t lie to me, I know you are. Let me know how it compares to China’s cherry blossom season.

Will Trump move to fire Mueller? The weather report failed to mention the imminent tweet storm this weekend. We endured it as best we could. Donald Trump seems to be unraveling as Mueller’s investigation gets closer to him. In his tweets, Trump called out Mueller by name for the first time. He discredited the investigation, called it a “WITCH HUNT” again, and aroused concerns that he could be angling to get Mueller fired. He can’t do the firing himself, his attorney general would have to. Sessions, who has recused himself from the investigation, can’t do the firing. The duty would fall on the Rod J. Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general.

The best Monday night entertainment options in Seattle include: An evening with Pink Martini, Royal Shakespeare Company’s recorded performance of Twelfth Night, and the beginning of the second week of Moisture Festival.

Nathalie Graham covers anything she finds fun, weird, or interesting. You can find a lot of that in her column, Play Date. Her work has also appeared around town in The Seattle Times, GeekWire, and the...