The good people of Seattle are a self-determined lot. Never shying away from choosing the road less traveled, Seattleites exude a quiet confidence in their quirky expressiveness. A simple stroll through most any Seattle neighborhood will reveal all manner of odd domestic expression. From junky old cars taped together but somehow still running to lawn decorations that could easily be confused as plain garbage on trash day, a smattering of government oddness in the form of traffic circle gardens to a plethora of porta-potties wherever the eye does turn, Seattle is a very odd place. Yet for all of its eccentricities, my latest Seattle observation eclipses them all and is undoubtedly the ultimate display of Seattle strangeness: self-service cross walks.

What could possibly make a self-service Seattle crosswalk unlike others around the country? Well, the answer is as bizarre as you could ever imagine: flags. That’s right, at a handful of main city roads which cross less traveled neighborhood intersections are bright orange flags nestled in baskets hanging on various street signs. The flags are placed there by the local residents in an attempt to create safer crossing areas. Whether or not it works, I have no idea, but one thing you can be sure: you won't find me flapping those silly bright orange flags anytime soon. It may make my crossing safer, but by raising my dork level 500% I think I'll take the risk of being mowed down by an oncoming car.

Who in particular came up with this gallant yet ludicrous idea I dare not try to learn, but a website has sprung up with instructions on how to create your own self-service crosswalk: crossingflags.googlepages.com. Rather than blather on about this otherworldly phenomenon any longer, I shall instead let the pictures above and below tell the story. And if this photographic evidence isn’t sufficient proof that something very, very peculiar is going on in our dear Emerald City, than nothing will convince you.

God, I love Seattle!