Actually, we were home, which is why my wife (and kids) are freaked out. Apparently lots of houses in north cap hill have been hit lately, always while the owners are home. That's why the officer suggested a gun...

Thanks for the times story. I have a smith corona olympia, a very simple portable. It's just dirty and has some corrosion starting. I don't think it needs parts. (it has all uppercase type!)

If we make it to a match, we clearly have you, Jack and Fnarf to thank. Fantastic.

My first response to this reply is 'holy shit', this guy's in way too deep. My second response: thank you so much!

I love capitol hill. I'm super liberal. I know I have a lot of values in common with these attitudinal punks, who certainly can be charming when necessary. But how come the low-payed, disenfranchised barista in Moses Lake or Vancouver Island or Mexico is likely to be pleasant, or maybe even downright friendly? Do Seattle hipsters actually think they are cooler than all of creation?

Thanks for the response. In hindsight, I realize this conflict escalated to the point of a criminal issue when the fish boss threatened to beat me. And that he did so in front of the market staff (not to mention my kids) made me question the relation between the fish guys and the market. I know the market has had several previous dust ups from this same vendor. The vendor apparently claims a problem with his medication. Go figure. If Wilson Fish (both the salesman and the owner) treated me, a long-time, big-spending customer like this, I'm guessing they might be decomposing for other reasons.
I'll follow up on your links. Thank you.

Wilson Fish sold me a bag of fins labeled "wild salmon bellies" for $25 a pound. When I questioned them about this later, they got extremely defensive and said bellies are only $15 a pound and that I should never shop there again.

I think you meant "sheepsheadish grin. I thought about calling the cops but all my young kids were with me and I didn't want to put them through that. Though maybe I should have to teach them about the "scales" of justice...

Right. The fishmonger is Wilson Fish, who are quite well known. I've bought from them for years. Maybe someday I'll get to hear their side of the story.

I bought a bag of smoked "wild salmon bellies" that was actually a bag of fins, for $25 lb. When I asked him about it my next visit he went ballistic, claiming nothing is over $15 a pound and avoiding the "fin" issue. He got super defensive and angry so fast, it was obvious something was wrong. The market manager told me later he has a history of freaking out on people. That's why I wondered how markets deal with vendor (or customer) behavior. I tried to talk to his boss the next week, but the boss went to hit me in front of my kids and the market staff, who had to restrain him. Thus the gift certificate offer...