i've heard that the "mess industry" has taken a hit in the last few years, and that there are 1/2 as many messengers in seattle as there were 5 years ago.

if you want to talk to the messengers, they hang out at 6th? & Pine at that little coffee stand.

and as for the hills (to others on this thread) - HTFU! hills will make you stronger. i've done queen anne up to kerry park on a 14x40 fixed gear and lived to tell about it (including going back down w/ no brake)