286) The fog was just beginning to lift when I was visiting this box on the northern edge of downtown. As the sun pieced the misty veil, the box was moved to tears. And was then moved to begin writing poetry. That’s when I left.

285) It’s a box of opportunity! It’s an amazingly rare photo of me wearing a tie! It’s… it’s… both! Today I had a work event that actually required playing dress-up, plus I had an errand to run at University Village. As luck would have it, I happened across this yet-to-be-captured box while there. Funny thing is, now this box thinks this is how I always dress.

284) I really have no idea why I put my hood up for this shot. It looks stupid. I really shouldn’t have done that. Maybe I was trying to distract from the unfortunate graffiti on this box? Maybe my head was cold? Whatever the reason, I shouldn’t have done it. I’m so sorry I embarrassed this box.

283) Obviously I have a soft spot for mailboxes, but I’m more than willing to admit that some of them are a bit full of themselves. Take this guy, for example. He resides on the northwest edge of downtown, along one of the main arterials. This positioning has kind of gone to his head, as he refers to himself as “The Gatekeeper” and feels that he is somehow in a position of authority over all who enter downtown from the north. You’ll notice that I’m standing north of the box. Yeah, he didn’t let me pass.

282) This passageway through Fisherman’s Terminal is on one of our running routes, and we’ve easily passed through here dozens and dozens of times over the year… but never knew there was a mailbox! As you can see, I was literally jumping for joy over finally meeting this fine box, and from the looks of it the box was equally excited to see me.

281) Holy smokes, we’re making some serious art here, people. Just look at everything going on in this photos. The doomed Highway 99 viaduct lurks in the background, reminding us all of our eventual demise. The glass-walled builidings rise to the sky, symbolizing our dreams and aspirations. The mailbox stands front and center, tying us to those near and far through its vast network. All the while the orange cones stress caution. Then there’s me. I don’t represent anything.

280) In a stinging social commentary, this photo brilliantly captures two items that are fighting valiantly to survive in today’s world. In the foreground, we have the proud mailbox, dutifully serving the postal needs of a public that increasingly doesn’t correspond through the handwritten word. In the background, we have a record store, one of the relatively few that has managed to hang on in a world gone digital. They’re both survivors. But for how much longer?

279) Once again, I was too late. This time, by mere weeks. Faithful readers know that the single biggest threat to mailboxes is construction. It has been far too common of an occurrence for me to arrive at a mailbox location only to find the box gone and temporary fencing in its place. The inset photo is from Google Street View, showing what the scene looked like for many years (or even decades). But as you can see in the main photo, right now it’s just a scene of disappointment.

278) I approached the box and asked if I could get a picture. The box agreed. The box complimented me on my posture. I returned the compliment, because it was true. I also acknowledged how clean and graffiti-free the box was. This made the box very happy, as it takes great pride in its appearance. The box did a little dance, but I didn’t capture that in the photo.

277) This is one of the happiest mailboxes in Seattle. I mean, just look at all it has around it. A green rely box hanging out next door, fresh ocean spray coming off the Sound, and a steady stream of pedestrians coming out of the sculpture park, all giddy from their art walk. Yes, this is one happy box, alright.