Getting Up to Speed

I've been slacking on this, so here, have an update:

The foreshadowing of Jude Law...So, I finally watched Closer. Talk about disturbing. What I really picked up on by watching this though, is that Jude Law, while absolutely hot, is a damn idiot. He made Closer, where he cheats on his girlfriend and loses her, and another movie called Alfie, where he cheats on many girlfriends and loses them all, and then STILL cheated on Sienna Miller in real life with his kid's nanny. I believe he has lost Sienna now as well, right? What a f**king idiot! Did he not learn from the movies what would happen in real life? He is pretty damn low on my respect-o-meter and looking less and less attractive as a result. Changing tunes, Natalie Portman's Academy Award nomination for her role in this movie further supports my idea that the people who pick the nominees have the most severe tunnel vision in movieland....talk about over rated. Give me a break and actually look outside the box for talent sometime will you?

Spanky...I went to Harvey's on Friday night with a group of friends and watched this guy's show. He had such an interesting style that was very funny and absent of the typical offensiveness of most comedians. I'll even mention that he left me with a little feeling of inspiration after his encouragement to everyone to laugh more. It was good stuff.

100k...My Saturn wagon is going to hit 100,000 miles this week after 4.5 short years. It's been pretty good to me. All I have had to replace on this thing is one $300 fan and the tires and front brakes. I am pissed that I have to go replace the front windshield because of a crack that has reached over a foot in length...stupid flying rocks.

Functional Family Therapy...This is a new form of therapy that my company picked up recently on a contract. I trained on it last week for a mere 24 hours and am supposed to be able to start it with a new caseload next week. Officemates, don't tell on me, but I am so not excited to sit in a room with fighting kids and parents. Being from the family that I came from, I didn't go into family therapy for a reason. I mean, I like to work with the families, but there's a reason I choose to work primarily with the youth. We'll see how it goes.

Best costume, not me...After all that speculation about what I should dress up as for Halloween, I decided to NOT dress up. It was too damn cold, and I just wasn't in the mood. Pete Lee did send me an email about a Santa dressup event coming up in December though, so maybe I'll head out with him to do that...it's guaranteed warmth, and I won't have to worry about originality....everyone dresses up as Santa Clause.

Alright, I am off to see the fam for dinner soon, so I gotta go get ready so that I'm actually on time. Dad is on to the fact that I am almost never on time, so I figure it may be nice to impress him and actually show up by 6:30.

Game #8: Lose

Oregon State 27
Arizona 29

Hmmm, a chance at a winning season appears to be going the wayside. Is there any hope? Does the injury last week on Oregon's QB at least give us a shot at the Civil War? Will we somehow kick the hell out of USC? For now, I'll answer in the affirmative and just have faith in the black and orange.

Game #7: LOSE

Oregon State 28
UCLA 51

Need I admit that it took me two days to post the score because I was in a deep stage of denial? Or was I just having too much fun this weekend to care? Hmm, probably a little bit of both. Don't worry Beavs, I won't give up on you.

Halloween Costume Decisions

Alright, the earring is in on the teen, so here is the last thing I need to cover...Halloween! On the 29th, I am going to a big 'mandatory costume' party and then out on the town, and I have yet to pick a costume. Here are the only ideas so far, all suggested by males, hence the lack of clothing on my behalf:

1) Schoolgirl/teacher duo: This is Brian Nelson's idea, and it would have me as the naughty schoolgirl and our friend Dave as a kooky Chemistry teacher. One catch, Dave already teaches Chemistry, so technically, this wouldn't be dressing up for him. I say we switch roles and Dave dresses as the schoolgirl, and I get to stay warm in a labcoat for the night.

2) Wonderwoman: I could pull this one off. The question is, do I want to freeze my ass off all night? I am thinking I could go as a combo of superheroes and dress a little more weather friendly.

3) Dead baby: Good old Adam suggested last week that I wear a bikini top, very short loose white bottoms, carry a bottle, and create fake cuts all over my body. He swears this was the hottest costume on a friend of his a few years back. Surrrrrrre. Don't worry, our very recent re-dating easily hashed out to just being friends again after four weeks. No need to call up the Catholic Jockboy Rehab...I mean, I adore the guy, but he's just, soooo not for me. Beneficial for moving heavy things and putting a smile on my face with his really bad jokes though.

Jessica suggests I tape leaves all over my body and go as a bush, or go as a flower, or just dress like an Eskimo and be warm. Oh, now she's saying I should be a Rose Parade float...damn, that'd be a lot of flower petals. Hmm, she is thinking about going as an adhesive strip of fly paper with a bunch of critters and plastic bugs taped to her body. And her husband Bill will dress as a big fly.

I may just paint myself yellow and go as the sun or jaundice. Hmm, endless possibilities. Good thing I have ten more days to decide.

Random Thoughts #???

Hmm, here is what I feel like talking about right now:

Plans by Death Cab for Cutie: This CD is so great. I love it, so much I think I will go and buy it instead of just keeping the lower quality download in my computer and iPod. I recommend the songs Soul Meets Body, Marching Bands of Manhattan, and Brothers On a Hotel Bed.

Breathe in: So, my officemates and I have discovered that many working professionals have odd gasps for air at the beginning of, or within their voicemail messages, and we have decided to coin these people 'The Breathers.' If we find a really good one, we hang up, call again, and play it on speakerphone for eachother. Then we crack up when they pause in between sentences for a loud gasp of air. Yeah, we're dorks. I am totally okay with that.

Bruce, you're going down: My friend Bruce sent this to me in an email today...

The Ducks will always be far superior to the beavers,we are going to win out and finish the season 11-1 with a final ranking of #3 in the nation (at worst) maybe someday you'll come out of the orange delusion that is the life of a beaver fan and see the light...

Notice he didn't even capitalize the word Beaver, but did on ducks. Man, our ten year friendship is feeling pretty tested right now man. Don't think I won't post a high school formal picture of you as payback.

Dates who think of your dog: So I really don't mention the opposite sex in my blog anymore, but this is worth telling. On a date last night, I was presented with a wrapped gift that turned out to be a collection of gourmet dog biscuits and a bone for Bailey. Reasoning? The date kept me away from home over the weekend for too long and figured Bailey's more likely to forgive him if he gets in good with him. I was pretty impressed.

Alright, on that note, I am going to go so that I can help get a gauge ball on the tip of our teenager's earring. Gotta prioritize the needs of the youth, whatever that looks like.

Stupid People

Sorry, this title is a little mean, but COME ON!

1) While in Salem the weekend before last, I saw a VERY pregnant woman in a VERY smoky bar. As the designated driver of my crew, I wanted to have my huge friend Beck just throw this stranger over his shoulder and haul her out to my car so that I could drive her and the future kid home. Apparently, if she would have asked for a drink, they would had to have served her too. Disturbing.

2) Today I was cruising back to work, and a guy on a motorcycle passed me, drinking Starbucks. There clearly wasn't a cup holder on his small bike, and the guy was all over the road while fumbling with the coffee. This whole idea doesn't resonate as safe in my mind.

3) Went to a karaoke spot this week with friends and had to endure the incredibly boring 'God I hope the record exec is in the house tonight' singers. You know who they are...they stand up there, completely stiff and emotion free, but give their all to that serious tune that will hopefully get them swept off to recording contract land. FYI...Karaoke is purely for making an ass of yourself or completely engaging the crowd in your act. If you aren't up for that, go find an open mic night.

4) Just read this and then click on the other link at the end of the story to see the pictures. You will totally agree that these people are stupid.

5) Get down girl, go ahead get down. Okay, last night I downloaded Gold Digger by Kanye West into my iTunes and felt my IQ drop about 50 notches. But I really like the beat, and the lyrics crack me up. God, it hurts to admit this.

6) BCS didn't rank Oregon State this week. Jerks. To those six who voted for us, you are not stupid...just please get the rest of them to believe you next week and vote us in.

Game #6: WIN!

Oregon State 23
Cal 20

I wasn't expecting a win here, so yah! That puts us at a 4-2 overall and 2-1 conference record. On another note, Jose just kicked the winning field goal for Dallas in OT. Good job!

Happy Birthday Trina!

Today is Trina's birthday, so I hope you all remembered to call her (I haven't yet!) This is Trina and her future husband, Steve. They tie the knot on July 29, 2006. Cute huh?

New Pictures, Part 2

Well, I STILL haven't bought a digital camera yet, so here is a new set of pics to round out the summer and beginning of fall. I'll get around to buying one soon, really. I just like to have gas in my car and food on my table though. Damn necessities.

GO BEAVERS!

Yeah, I wasn't lying. We really own one of these at my house. We even blew it up for the game against Washington State. Plan to see him again on the roof during the Civil War. Bailey was terrified of this thing by the way.

Ahh, me and three of the people I love most in the world...Lee, Robin, and Aims, on our annual camping trip. We all grew up together. Actually, we're still growing up together. I love them.

This is my friend Brian on our annual camping trip. He's stooped in front of the awesome area where everyone swam (while I took pictures). 

This was the last day of our annual camping trip. Bailey decided he had had enough, loaded himself up in the trunk, and refused to get out until we left. What a spoiled dog. 

Here's Cedar, the occasional holy terror, but otherwise wonderful nephew, spinning on my desk chair. Hey Jennifer, he had a blast in Oregon...you should probably move back now. 

Cedar met his uncles Kyle and Scott this week and shared his toys. He and Kyle enjoy the same hair style. Man, I can't wait for it to go out of style. 

Here is another one from Lexy and Ben's wedding in June. Yeah, it's old, but now you can see a picture of the tall dad I have and his wife Sandy. Looking at my dad, I think I am guaranteed a good metabolism for life.

Family Week

Hmmm, it's family week here at the bungalow, as my sister and nephew arrived on Monday night to trash my apartment with loads of toys and hippy scented lotion. Here's what's been on my agenda:

Introductions: I took my sister to meet our dad this week for the first time since she was five. They got along very well and Cedar took to him immediately...must have been all those bad jokes :). Last night we headed over to his house for dinner so that she and Cedar could meet the other sibs and dad's wife Sandy. Cedar, Kyle, and Scott all have the same hair and had a great time together, and Jennifer has a ton in common with Sandy. All said, I think the meetings opened up yet another door in our family, and it makes me happy.

Thanks angels: This morning on the way to work, Scott was in a six car pileup on I-205. He got rear ended by a semi and his car was totaled. Amazingly, he appears to have no traumatic injuries and only had to go to the hospital for an evaluation. Dad said the doctors said he should buy a lottery ticket because he's a lucky one to have walked away from the accident alive. People are really driving like assholes out there on the wet roads. Could it hurt to slow down and keep your distance, especially behind my family members?

Days off: I have today and Monday off, creating a nice 4 day weekend. Of course, it will be jam packed with family time, in Salem of all places, but I think I can handle it. Eeegh. Good thing I don't head down til tomorrow morning and we're going directly to the coast for the day.

New music: Okay, not so new, but I finally ordered Final Straw by Snow Patrol and twentysomething by Jamie Cullum. Both are good. Actually, Final Straw is great. I can't stop listening to it.

Alright, this wasn't much, but tonight I'm headed out to Portland City Grill and some other places to hang out and have a fun night, so I'm off to go get some cute BUT comfortable shoes. Trust me, I learned my lesson last week about that.

Bob Loblaw

Arrested Development has a new character named Bob Loblaw. That name cracks me up. I can't stop saying it. Seriously, just say it out loud if you are having a bad day, and it should cheer you up.

Oh, and if you don't watch Arrested Development yet, you should start. It's great.

Yep, that's all I had to say.

Max Crawling

I had my first Portland Max pub crawl experience on Friday night. In addition to celebrating a 30th birthday, the intention of this adventure is to hit a ton of bars along the Max line while maintaining the responsibility to not drink and drive. After one hellish 2.5 hour commute home (for 40 measly miles), I felt that I was quite deserving of an irresponsible night in the hands of another driver...so Jess, Bill, and I headed out. Here's as much as I can accurately report about what my $3.85 all night Max fare got me:

The Max Ride: We got on the Max in Beaverton. My roomies were still buying tickets when the doors closed, kidnapping me. I couldn't come up with this on my own, but upon calling Jessica on her cell, she suggested that I get off at the next Max stop and wait for them to pick me up on the next train. Wow, how did I miss that idea?

Destination #1...The White Eagle: Our first stop in North Portland, where the night began and we met everyone in our crew. One guy looked oddly familiar, and I pegged him as a classmate from the eigth grade and even remembered his name. Jess and I got our first drinks, but no food, and I caught up with the classmate and learned that a total of four girls named Sarah were rolling in our crew for the night. What, is my name really that common?

Destination #2...The Alibi: Fifteen of us jumped on the Max and headed even further north with the intention of landing at The Alibi. We passed it, and had to back pedal on our feet a few blocks. This is the point where I realized that open toed, kitten heeled Steve Maddens are not a good idea for a rainy night pub crawl. Ah well, they're cute.

At The Alibi, we finally ate, got more drinks, got lei'd (it's a Hawaiian themed place), and enjoyed some horrendous karaoke (I mean, this is so not Pete Lee). A girl not named Sarah in our group tipped half a beer into my lap and then brought me soda water to get it out, but not another beer to replace the one she spilled...what is wrong with her? Eventually, a guy bought me one instead and scolded the girl. Later, I used the men's room while a guy in our crew manned the door because the girl's room was just too packed. While I was in the stall, he drunkenly let a guy in to use the urinal claiming, "Hey, it's okay, it's a hot girl in there, you're fine." Never trust a drunk guy to guard the door for you.

Destination #3...Georges: While heading here on the Max, all of us scream Happy Birthday to the newly minted 30 year old. We are clearly a group of inebriated and loud idiots at this point, and everyone looked at us a little crazy. I managed to 'surf' the Max in my cute shoes without holding any rails...I must not have been too bad yet.

At Georges, a quarter of the crew drops off, and those of us who are left have some great conversations about marriage and 'dis'engagment. I also got to yell at a guy when his wedding ring mysteriously disappeared after his wife left for the night. He sheepishly reached in his pocket and put it back on. What a punk. I hope your wife of four months divorces you.

Destination #4: The Nite Hawk: We headed here on our feet, thus breaking the rules of a Max pub crawl, but everyone is too drunk to care. I was ready to be carried because the shoes really hurt, but my old classmate complimented me on how cute they are...validation. Once in the door, I played some pool, but failed all the shots...a rarity for me. That must mean it's time for...

Destination #5: Home: So I realized, I'm about done. Our last Max home was coming too, so my roomies and I headed out. We made it to a transfer station and realized that there were no more Max trains going to the Beav, so we ended up calling a taxi, got in, and zzzzzzzzzzz. I actually fell asleep on the ride home.

Anyway, it was a fun night, and I highly recommend a Max pub crawl. Here are some pointers though:

1) Be one of the few single girls in a group of male business professionals...you won't have to buy any drinks all night.
2) JUST don't pick up on any of the business professionals because they're either married and hiding their rings in their pockets, or have girlfriends, don't bring them, and lie for the night (but still buy you drinks).
3) Screw looking cute...wear your rain jacket and GOOD shoes.
4) Make sure that you MAKE the last train home because cabs late at night are spendy.
5) Keep a lot of water by your bed. You'll need it come morning when you...
6) Try to watch college football at 9:30 am, but then...
7) Go back to bed instead, because all that cheering will just hurt your head.

Keep Them in Your Thoughts

Just wanted to post that Mike's uncle Gary passed away in his sleep on Sunday night at 11:00 pm. My thoughts are just with his wife, son, and the rest of his family right now. And of course, Gary. As I mentioned before, the guy taught me a thing or two about how to enjoy life no matter what gets thrown at you. I'm a better person for knowing him and will always smile when I think of him. He'll be missed.

Game #5: WIN!

Oregon State 44
Washington State 33

And that's after being down two TDs at half time. Good job guys!