Chip Hanauer photo by Stephen Lane 

You can debate the historic significance of the Ballard Denny's, then watch the backhoe take it down, and we can ponder the psychic demeanor of a city whose already intense population boom is expected to swell another 30 percent by 2025.

But maybe part of the acculturation process for anyone dwelling in Seattle for more than a few years MUST include a recognition of Seattle's traditions, of which there are not many and which are not very pronounced.

With the start of Seafair this week in boomtown Seattle, despite the fact that 400 missed the start of Sunday's marathon, it occurs to me that an archeological dig into this tradition might help us reconcile what Seattle was with what it is becoming. In the process, maybe this reconciliation can help engender a different appreciation of the place -- a perspective that could help attach a psychological rudder to our wayfaring journey ahead.

For instance, once, a long time ago, I personally mocked the significance of the Seafair hydroplane race that takes place annually on Lake Washington. This made legendary hydro drive Chip Hanuaer very mad. It seemed like an archaic and quaint little event to me, an outsider, but Hanauer begged to differ. This week, I would like to explore these issues more, in order to come to some kind of truce -- and higher plane of consciousness, pardon the expression.

The point is, Seattle's past has not been able to bear its weight up against the behemoth present. It is the little left coast outpost that, BOOM, became a world-class city. However, it is my growing suspicion that Seattleites one and all should embrace their inner Seafair this summer, before it's too late.