Friday, January 27, 2006
Kids on the Run
Well, it's Friday night and I am on call. As luck would not have it, two of my own program kids decided to run away tonight. Funny thing is that three hours later, they decided they made a horrible mistake and want to go back to their foster home. This has left me on and off the phone for four hours. This made going to the car show with my dad tonight an interesting experience of "Ooooh look at the Maserati" to "Damn it, I have to go make another phone call to find out where my kiddos are." Sorry Dad, I still had fun hanging out with you.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
My Weekend View, and News of Sarah
The above picture was my view for this past weekend from the porch of Justin's parents' house up in Port Ludlow, Washington. I really loved the area, and it was nice to wake up and look out to see a ton of water. Plus it was nice to get away for the weekend and spend time with Justin and his family.
Otherwise, here is what's up in the life of me:
I decided to join a Yahoo group for my graduating class to monitor the class reunion buzz. My ten year is this summer, which ages me of course, but also is something I am actually interested in attending. Maybe it is because I actually enjoyed high school. Sadly, there are a couple people on there who I cannot, for the life of me, remember. This makes me guess that I better do some brushing up before June 17th. Or I will just practice the nametag glance and handshake combo. Either way works for me.
I had the honor of wedding dress shopping with Katrina last Friday morning at the Brides for Breast Cancer event at the Portland Art Museum. She scored a dress for half the ticket price, supported an awesome cause, and looked absolutely beautiful on top of it all. I can't wait to see jaws drop when she walks down the aisle on July 29th.
My dad's side of the family showered me with gift cards for my 28th birthday, so I picked up some new CDs. Here's what I bought, and some opinions:
1) Tiny Cities by Sun Kil Moon... This remains in the heaviest of rotation from the four purchases, and I highly recommend it. The CD is great from start to finish.
2) Songs for a Blue Guitar by Red House Painters...I already had most of this downloaded, but figured I owed them some cold hard cash for their quality tunes. Definitely worth a legitimate buy and touts the same lead singer as Sun Kil Moon. He has such an awesome voice.
3) Life in Slow Motion by David Gray...This is not as impressive as White Ladder. It's nice to have some new stuff by him though.
4) The Beekeeper by Tori Amos...This CD convinces me that I should no longer be a completer of Tori Amos's collection. I will personally describe it as irritating, obnoxious and striving to be some original piece of work that fails miserably. I liked her music much more back in the days when she was single, angry, and childless. Sorry Tori, I am happy for the good life you are living now, but can't you dig up some old pain before you start writing again?
Well, lastly on my agenda, is Scrubs. The series started up again, and a new one airs in ten minutes, so I need to go prepare to watch THE ONLY show that has earned my undivided attention and regular viewing. I actually get excited when Zach Braff's voice-over starts at the beginning of each episode. And networks hate good shows and many people are too stupid for the sarcastic humor (see the great Arrested Development), so I imagine it will get served a cancellation soon. Dumb TV wins damn it.
Oh, and the blog will continue on in true form. Though I never write when people are sleeping anymore. I like sleep now and covet as much of it as I can each night. Zzzzzzzzzzz.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Snake & Hamster=BFF
Here is a cute story about unlikely best friends posted today on MSN.
I was going to title this 'I Hope the Snake Eats Him' but that's not really how I feel. If a snake and hamster can be friends, I think the rest of us stand a fighting chance to get along just as well. I'm foreseeing that Aochan and Gohan have the opportunity to score their own movie from Disney out of this.
Here's to hoping that they don't lose their good chemistry.
I was going to title this 'I Hope the Snake Eats Him' but that's not really how I feel. If a snake and hamster can be friends, I think the rest of us stand a fighting chance to get along just as well. I'm foreseeing that Aochan and Gohan have the opportunity to score their own movie from Disney out of this.
Here's to hoping that they don't lose their good chemistry.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Even Time
So, it's 2006 and I just turned 28 yesterday. I prefer even years to odd ones for no particular reason other than they seem easier to remember. Last year, I had to think every time someone asked me how old I was. True, it shouldn't be that hard, but oh well.
I am a little behind on updating this thing, but plan to get the ball rolling again this weekend. It's a new year, and my life changed A LOT in 2005, so I am thinking about starting a whole new blog. I could 'pull a Marcus' and do what he did last year after he had a particularly annoying winter and erased 90% of his blog entries, but that's not me...I am a packrat, a keeper, I rejoice in memories good, bad, and bizarre. This is not to say that I think Marcus was wrong to erase his blog...I really think I am just pissed because his writing was so good last year and I would love to go back and be able to read his entries.
This aside, I occasionally DO go back and read my entries and realize that 2005 was a big deal, that I MOSTLY made good decisions for myself. I am astounded by some of what I wrote in here...there are definitely many 'What was I thinking?' moments. But really, I embrace what my year was...pretty damn good overall.
That said, I think I am ready for something new and cut off from the past, so stay tuned.
Alright, gotta continue on with my birthday week. I find it best to celebrate as many times as you can, so it's on to fun night #3 tonight.
I am a little behind on updating this thing, but plan to get the ball rolling again this weekend. It's a new year, and my life changed A LOT in 2005, so I am thinking about starting a whole new blog. I could 'pull a Marcus' and do what he did last year after he had a particularly annoying winter and erased 90% of his blog entries, but that's not me...I am a packrat, a keeper, I rejoice in memories good, bad, and bizarre. This is not to say that I think Marcus was wrong to erase his blog...I really think I am just pissed because his writing was so good last year and I would love to go back and be able to read his entries.
This aside, I occasionally DO go back and read my entries and realize that 2005 was a big deal, that I MOSTLY made good decisions for myself. I am astounded by some of what I wrote in here...there are definitely many 'What was I thinking?' moments. But really, I embrace what my year was...pretty damn good overall.
That said, I think I am ready for something new and cut off from the past, so stay tuned.
Alright, gotta continue on with my birthday week. I find it best to celebrate as many times as you can, so it's on to fun night #3 tonight.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Look Out, She's Learning How to Use It
Hope everyone had a great Christmas. I had a busy and social weekend and got to spend time with a ton of great people, except for my sister (see Jen, validating the last post). I also got an insane amount of 'Merry Christmas' texts from friends yesterday. At first, I found it a little odd, but then joined in and sent some out too. I found that it was better than interrupting family dinners and present opening time. While I do intend to actually send cards again next year, the 'thoughts' coming in throughout the day were cute. My favorite came from Maureen who said, 'Happy winter gift giving day!'
For now, the only other thing I would like to announce is that I have finally joined the land of digital photography. My very in-tune and slightly perfect other half (that'd be Justin by the way) surprised me with a tiny little Canon Powershot SD450 Digital Elph. I love it because I will be able to take it everywhere with me and annoy everyone by shouting "this is a perfect picture taking moment!"
Technical difficulties (i.e...Sarah doesn't like to read ALL the directions) have allowed me to erase all my pictures from my memory card twice, and to fail to connect my camera to my computer correctly until midnite, so I have no great pics to show you yet. I have decided to spend some quality time with the 'basics' manual tomorrow, so you should start to see some camera happy action in the next few days. Memories of me with a camera for my high school yearbook class are pouring in...prepare accordingly.
For now, the only other thing I would like to announce is that I have finally joined the land of digital photography. My very in-tune and slightly perfect other half (that'd be Justin by the way) surprised me with a tiny little Canon Powershot SD450 Digital Elph. I love it because I will be able to take it everywhere with me and annoy everyone by shouting "this is a perfect picture taking moment!"
Technical difficulties (i.e...Sarah doesn't like to read ALL the directions) have allowed me to erase all my pictures from my memory card twice, and to fail to connect my camera to my computer correctly until midnite, so I have no great pics to show you yet. I have decided to spend some quality time with the 'basics' manual tomorrow, so you should start to see some camera happy action in the next few days. Memories of me with a camera for my high school yearbook class are pouring in...prepare accordingly.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Slacker Me and Wind-Up Dogs
I am still irritated that we got snowed in up here in Portland on Sunday and lost a day of useful holiday prep time. I even took a personal day on Monday to grieve the loss. Anyway, here's what I have to say at the moment...
I have decided not to send off Holiday cards this year. Really, this lies completely on the fact that Christmas has snuck up on me and I have run out of time. I didn't even put up my little fake alpine Christmas trees and decorate them...I just went to Hallmark, picked up the annual ornament, and then tossed it down at home.
That doesn't mean I am missing the Christmas spirit, though I am pretty convinced that Peacock Lane in Portland is out of the loop. I went on a family adventure on Monday night with my dad and that crew (uh-huh, ten of us rolling in a huge white van) to view this once amazing spectacle of lights and holiday cheer. Gotta say that the effort and warmth of the street has diminished greatly since my last viewing in 1995. What is that about?
In other completely unrelated news, my roomies have decided to purchase a puppy. Make that a wind-up toy. Yes, two pound, seven week old Max has joined the household. He is a long haired Chihuahua, and he is actually really cute. Tomorrow, Jess will travel to Medford to pick up ANOTHER wind-up toy...a Maltese puppy, probably about two pounds too. We got a picture of Bailey behind Max, and Max is about the size of Bailey's snout. Bay shows little interest in Max actually, but having two in the house may bring out his herding genes...stay tuned. I am guessing that the puppy thing will be a much more successful venture than their attempt at a pet last year...Lola, the indoor Pygmy goat that sprayed poo pellets all over the house and head butted people. She made for great video, but that's about it.
On Friday, I get to meet Justin's sister Jennifer (hmm, I have one of those too). She is coming from Oklahoma and bringing her twin five month old son and daughter along for the week. I have been helping to set up baby stuff and have to say that for baby stuff, some of it is incredibly complicated. How about another what's that about? I guess babies aren't putting the stuff together, but come on already!
Alright, I may not get around to this again before the holiday madness really sets in sooooo, have a great Christmas, or whatever you prefer to celebrate or not celebrate. Be safe, be happy, and spend time with all the people who really matter to you. That's what I will be doing.
I have decided not to send off Holiday cards this year. Really, this lies completely on the fact that Christmas has snuck up on me and I have run out of time. I didn't even put up my little fake alpine Christmas trees and decorate them...I just went to Hallmark, picked up the annual ornament, and then tossed it down at home.
That doesn't mean I am missing the Christmas spirit, though I am pretty convinced that Peacock Lane in Portland is out of the loop. I went on a family adventure on Monday night with my dad and that crew (uh-huh, ten of us rolling in a huge white van) to view this once amazing spectacle of lights and holiday cheer. Gotta say that the effort and warmth of the street has diminished greatly since my last viewing in 1995. What is that about?
In other completely unrelated news, my roomies have decided to purchase a puppy. Make that a wind-up toy. Yes, two pound, seven week old Max has joined the household. He is a long haired Chihuahua, and he is actually really cute. Tomorrow, Jess will travel to Medford to pick up ANOTHER wind-up toy...a Maltese puppy, probably about two pounds too. We got a picture of Bailey behind Max, and Max is about the size of Bailey's snout. Bay shows little interest in Max actually, but having two in the house may bring out his herding genes...stay tuned. I am guessing that the puppy thing will be a much more successful venture than their attempt at a pet last year...Lola, the indoor Pygmy goat that sprayed poo pellets all over the house and head butted people. She made for great video, but that's about it.
On Friday, I get to meet Justin's sister Jennifer (hmm, I have one of those too). She is coming from Oklahoma and bringing her twin five month old son and daughter along for the week. I have been helping to set up baby stuff and have to say that for baby stuff, some of it is incredibly complicated. How about another what's that about? I guess babies aren't putting the stuff together, but come on already!
Alright, I may not get around to this again before the holiday madness really sets in sooooo, have a great Christmas, or whatever you prefer to celebrate or not celebrate. Be safe, be happy, and spend time with all the people who really matter to you. That's what I will be doing.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Happy B'day to Many and Aggh!
Besides knowing that at this moment in time, I feel the need to take some days off from work and just mellow out, this is what is on my agenda:
First off, happy birthdays go out to my roomie Bill on the 16th, my dad's wife Sandy on the 18th, and Vince on the 19th. Ryan, who gets mentioned in a minute, also just had one on the 11th, so that's a lot of cake and presents. We will be hitting Alibi on Saturday night to celebrate Bill's bday. Vince, we'd come to see you if you weren't so damn far away, so have a good one.
Justin has been on a business trip for a couple days and has been travelling on a small corporate jet from place to place. I hate small planes and don't like the idea of them. Who cares if they are safer than going by car from place to place...I am of course going to just generalize irrational thoughts in my head about the people who are important to me, and Justin in particular, is of increasingly greater importance to me with each passing day (and not back until tomorrow either, sigh). Better be a good damn pilot on board.
My friend Ryan has decided to go anonymous on all the strangers in the world and only give his new blog address to a selective group of people (me being one, thanks man). So unfortunately, you will not be able to enjoy any further entertaining from the likes of Ryan. But I still encourage you to read his tales from Korea in the now defunct Nuprin Diaries. How he spins stories is great. Sadly, Adeiu is the last entry you unlucky folks will get to enjoy.
I finally scored some new contacts in my eyes today and have a little clearer vision. I am pretty pissed that my sight continues to go down the tube, but appreciate the sharper vision that my new -4.75 and -5.5 Rx supplies me. Anyone want to donate their perfect sight to me?
Well, I need to go now and get my thoughts wrapped around what the heck to get everyone for Christmas. I have YET to start shopping this year, and have a feeling I should probably get that going sometime soon. I am not one of those crazy Christmas Eve shoppers, but I come pretty damn close because I spend way too much time trying to figure out the PERFECT gift for each person. The decision fairy said she's paying me a visit by Saturday though, so I should be good to get started and finished all at once.
Oh one more thing...a bar Justin and I drove by in Portland called O'Briens had this written on their reader board:
Ho Y'all
God, that cracked me up.
First off, happy birthdays go out to my roomie Bill on the 16th, my dad's wife Sandy on the 18th, and Vince on the 19th. Ryan, who gets mentioned in a minute, also just had one on the 11th, so that's a lot of cake and presents. We will be hitting Alibi on Saturday night to celebrate Bill's bday. Vince, we'd come to see you if you weren't so damn far away, so have a good one.
Justin has been on a business trip for a couple days and has been travelling on a small corporate jet from place to place. I hate small planes and don't like the idea of them. Who cares if they are safer than going by car from place to place...I am of course going to just generalize irrational thoughts in my head about the people who are important to me, and Justin in particular, is of increasingly greater importance to me with each passing day (and not back until tomorrow either, sigh). Better be a good damn pilot on board.
My friend Ryan has decided to go anonymous on all the strangers in the world and only give his new blog address to a selective group of people (me being one, thanks man). So unfortunately, you will not be able to enjoy any further entertaining from the likes of Ryan. But I still encourage you to read his tales from Korea in the now defunct Nuprin Diaries. How he spins stories is great. Sadly, Adeiu is the last entry you unlucky folks will get to enjoy.
I finally scored some new contacts in my eyes today and have a little clearer vision. I am pretty pissed that my sight continues to go down the tube, but appreciate the sharper vision that my new -4.75 and -5.5 Rx supplies me. Anyone want to donate their perfect sight to me?
Well, I need to go now and get my thoughts wrapped around what the heck to get everyone for Christmas. I have YET to start shopping this year, and have a feeling I should probably get that going sometime soon. I am not one of those crazy Christmas Eve shoppers, but I come pretty damn close because I spend way too much time trying to figure out the PERFECT gift for each person. The decision fairy said she's paying me a visit by Saturday though, so I should be good to get started and finished all at once.
Oh one more thing...a bar Justin and I drove by in Portland called O'Briens had this written on their reader board:
Ho Y'all
God, that cracked me up.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Left of the Holiday Ramblings
The ego in me must declare that I have enjoyed catching heat from people who actually read this thing and are wondering where the heck my posts are. Most speculate correctly that I am off in la-la-land with a specific significant other. That's as much as I will report about him except that things are good there and that you would probably want to spend time with Justin too. Well, now I am just playing favorites, but anyway...
So I broke the console cubby in my Saturn. This pisses me off because I did the same thing in my Red Rocket in 1999. Of course, that time, I was kind of taking out my aggression on the console in lieu of frustrations toward a college boyfriend (don't worry, I've mellowed out to some degree since then), but the fact of the matter is that it was already damaged and I think the breaks have something to do with being left handed. I slam those things down because I just don't have the nice control with my right hand that I do with the left. Though, some people just refer to me as a 'slammer' in general. Hmm, maybe I need to go to finishing school.
My officemates and I have decided to go politically correct and decorate our door with trinkets and cutouts from every winter holiday. This really started as a 'point to make' over some coworkers getting frustrated that we are having a 'holiday party' instead of a Christmas party. I, for one, was pretty demanding that it be referred to as a holiday party because not everyone celebrates Christmas. Actually, most celebrate Xcess-mas in my mind. Not that I am into the religion element myself. I mean, in my house, we watched Godspell on Easter instead of going to church.
Oh, and to sound even more hypocritical in response to my own 'X-cessmas' statement...I love getting Christmas presents...but I think it should be a give and get kind of thing. I am heading downtown to Pioneer Square with my dad and my younger sibs to help serve food on Christmas morning. Additionally, I am buying presents for friends and family. But it won't be about size and price...I'll put thought into it all. Anyway my other point, which I didn't make yet, is that I have no problem with people saying "Merry Christmas" and all, but I think it is important to represent everyone who attends your party. And in the end, everyone likes our bizarre collection of decorations on the door, so it just works.
Moving on, and now I may just sound like a damn hypocrite again, but it's getting pretty ridiculous out there with the political correctness surrounding the holidays. As seen on CNN this morning, some city is referring to their Christmas tree as a 'grand tree.' What the fuck? As Marni mentioned today, "They're not going to start calling menorahs 'little candle thingies' are they?" Lets celebrate all the holidays alright? Set up a damn manger in your front yard if you please. Hoist a stuffed Santa onto your roof. Light 'those little candle thingies' on your windowsill. Have a happy bleeping holiday, whatever one you choose to observe.
Lets switch gears. I have managed to fix the dreadful Portland to Salem to Portland commute by getting to work around 9:30 and leaving no earlier than 5:30. This cuts the crammed mad rush of cars on both ends and provides me with extra sleep in the morning and an extra half hour of quiet work time in the evening. And of course, you are all free to call me during my commute hours to chat because we all know how safe driving and talking is. I've decided that my iPod will get cremated with me one day when I die too because that thing saves the hell out of my sanity. Not that I am going anywhere anytime soon. Remember I am shooting for 111.
Alright, I gotta get on with the sleep process, so I leave with some birthday wishes to Greg. This morning when I wrote the date down on a document at work, I realized he'd have hit 28 today. Damn.
Oh, and my song of the moment is still Carry Me Ohio by Sun Kil Moon. That and Santa Clause by Harry Connick Jr. That's a worthy Christmas song.
So I broke the console cubby in my Saturn. This pisses me off because I did the same thing in my Red Rocket in 1999. Of course, that time, I was kind of taking out my aggression on the console in lieu of frustrations toward a college boyfriend (don't worry, I've mellowed out to some degree since then), but the fact of the matter is that it was already damaged and I think the breaks have something to do with being left handed. I slam those things down because I just don't have the nice control with my right hand that I do with the left. Though, some people just refer to me as a 'slammer' in general. Hmm, maybe I need to go to finishing school.
My officemates and I have decided to go politically correct and decorate our door with trinkets and cutouts from every winter holiday. This really started as a 'point to make' over some coworkers getting frustrated that we are having a 'holiday party' instead of a Christmas party. I, for one, was pretty demanding that it be referred to as a holiday party because not everyone celebrates Christmas. Actually, most celebrate Xcess-mas in my mind. Not that I am into the religion element myself. I mean, in my house, we watched Godspell on Easter instead of going to church.
Oh, and to sound even more hypocritical in response to my own 'X-cessmas' statement...I love getting Christmas presents...but I think it should be a give and get kind of thing. I am heading downtown to Pioneer Square with my dad and my younger sibs to help serve food on Christmas morning. Additionally, I am buying presents for friends and family. But it won't be about size and price...I'll put thought into it all. Anyway my other point, which I didn't make yet, is that I have no problem with people saying "Merry Christmas" and all, but I think it is important to represent everyone who attends your party. And in the end, everyone likes our bizarre collection of decorations on the door, so it just works.
Moving on, and now I may just sound like a damn hypocrite again, but it's getting pretty ridiculous out there with the political correctness surrounding the holidays. As seen on CNN this morning, some city is referring to their Christmas tree as a 'grand tree.' What the fuck? As Marni mentioned today, "They're not going to start calling menorahs 'little candle thingies' are they?" Lets celebrate all the holidays alright? Set up a damn manger in your front yard if you please. Hoist a stuffed Santa onto your roof. Light 'those little candle thingies' on your windowsill. Have a happy bleeping holiday, whatever one you choose to observe.
Lets switch gears. I have managed to fix the dreadful Portland to Salem to Portland commute by getting to work around 9:30 and leaving no earlier than 5:30. This cuts the crammed mad rush of cars on both ends and provides me with extra sleep in the morning and an extra half hour of quiet work time in the evening. And of course, you are all free to call me during my commute hours to chat because we all know how safe driving and talking is. I've decided that my iPod will get cremated with me one day when I die too because that thing saves the hell out of my sanity. Not that I am going anywhere anytime soon. Remember I am shooting for 111.
Alright, I gotta get on with the sleep process, so I leave with some birthday wishes to Greg. This morning when I wrote the date down on a document at work, I realized he'd have hit 28 today. Damn.
Oh, and my song of the moment is still Carry Me Ohio by Sun Kil Moon. That and Santa Clause by Harry Connick Jr. That's a worthy Christmas song.
Friday, November 25, 2005
Pumpkin Pie Season
Hello out there. Time to catch up the days...
30 years!!! First, I have to send a happy b'day out to my sister Jennifer. She hits 30 today, but still looks damn young. Gives me hope that in two years and two months, I will still look damn young too. Anyway, happy b'day you opinionated and dramatic sister of mine.
Daniel-san is crying. It's time to wax on and wax off and send a solemn goodbye to Pat Morita, aka Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid movies. Every person my age has to admit that they watched the first two movies over and over in their kid years. The third, not so much, and the fourth, well, Hilary Swank went on to bigger and better things clearly. I'll prune a Bonzai tree tonight in your honor Mr. Miyagi.
Screw the lines. Thanksgiving is over and I refused to go shopping today. I think I might take the advice of a smart coworker and buy everything online this year. Shipping is generally free during the holiday season and I won't have to deal with impatient jerks and traffic. Oh, happy belated Thanksgiving to all. Hope most of you have the day off like me. I will eat lots more pumpkin pie today.
Hey, I suck at poker. After spending Thanksgiving afternoon with Justin's family, we headed to my dad's for dessert. The guys are all big into poker, so we sat down and played. In a particular hand of Omaha (some kind of poker), I had what was equal to 4 Jacks with an eight (kicker?) between my hand and the flop. Well, I folded. The whole combo thing didn't make sense to me. I quickly learned through their uncontrollable laughter that I would have schooled them all. I have a feeling I won't live this down for quite a while.
Heater I.V....I am sitting in my house right now with a sweater and my Northface fleece on and I am still freezing. It is about 42 degrees outside, but totally wet and rainy, so it makes it even colder. In order to beat the cold, my current plan is to invest in one of those tall portable outdoor restaurant heaters and move it along with me everywhere I go, just like a hospital I.V. drip. I won't even care about the weird looks from people on the street...at least I'll be warm.
RENT! Hey, RENT came out this weekend. I plan to see it by Sunday if I can manipulate people into going to see it with me. This may be hard, but I'll be persistent. I'm hoping I like it, but we'll just have to see about that.
Man, I slept well...Monday night, I put in a few hours by myself at my agency's Community Receiving Home. This is a foster home that we have for kids who get pulled out of their homes (usually because of meth busts) so that they can stay in their sibling sets and not have to sit in DHS offices for hours on end while a suitable home is found for them. I had two sets of siblings ages 1, 2, 4, 4, and 7. The oldest kid was pretty aware of why he was in the foster home, which was a little heartwrenching, and his sister just kept saying, "No, mom is at home," even though mom was in jail. The two year old would only call me mom, and the one year old cried if I tried to put him down. Their realities are pretty different than they should be at their age, and that really bothers me.
Hmm, I am out of here, but here, have a quote I like...
Youth would be an ideal state if it came much later in life.
I have it posted in my senior book, and I still agree.
30 years!!! First, I have to send a happy b'day out to my sister Jennifer. She hits 30 today, but still looks damn young. Gives me hope that in two years and two months, I will still look damn young too. Anyway, happy b'day you opinionated and dramatic sister of mine.
Daniel-san is crying. It's time to wax on and wax off and send a solemn goodbye to Pat Morita, aka Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid movies. Every person my age has to admit that they watched the first two movies over and over in their kid years. The third, not so much, and the fourth, well, Hilary Swank went on to bigger and better things clearly. I'll prune a Bonzai tree tonight in your honor Mr. Miyagi.
Screw the lines. Thanksgiving is over and I refused to go shopping today. I think I might take the advice of a smart coworker and buy everything online this year. Shipping is generally free during the holiday season and I won't have to deal with impatient jerks and traffic. Oh, happy belated Thanksgiving to all. Hope most of you have the day off like me. I will eat lots more pumpkin pie today.
Hey, I suck at poker. After spending Thanksgiving afternoon with Justin's family, we headed to my dad's for dessert. The guys are all big into poker, so we sat down and played. In a particular hand of Omaha (some kind of poker), I had what was equal to 4 Jacks with an eight (kicker?) between my hand and the flop. Well, I folded. The whole combo thing didn't make sense to me. I quickly learned through their uncontrollable laughter that I would have schooled them all. I have a feeling I won't live this down for quite a while.
Heater I.V....I am sitting in my house right now with a sweater and my Northface fleece on and I am still freezing. It is about 42 degrees outside, but totally wet and rainy, so it makes it even colder. In order to beat the cold, my current plan is to invest in one of those tall portable outdoor restaurant heaters and move it along with me everywhere I go, just like a hospital I.V. drip. I won't even care about the weird looks from people on the street...at least I'll be warm.
RENT! Hey, RENT came out this weekend. I plan to see it by Sunday if I can manipulate people into going to see it with me. This may be hard, but I'll be persistent. I'm hoping I like it, but we'll just have to see about that.
Man, I slept well...Monday night, I put in a few hours by myself at my agency's Community Receiving Home. This is a foster home that we have for kids who get pulled out of their homes (usually because of meth busts) so that they can stay in their sibling sets and not have to sit in DHS offices for hours on end while a suitable home is found for them. I had two sets of siblings ages 1, 2, 4, 4, and 7. The oldest kid was pretty aware of why he was in the foster home, which was a little heartwrenching, and his sister just kept saying, "No, mom is at home," even though mom was in jail. The two year old would only call me mom, and the one year old cried if I tried to put him down. Their realities are pretty different than they should be at their age, and that really bothers me.
Hmm, I am out of here, but here, have a quote I like...
Youth would be an ideal state if it came much later in life.
I have it posted in my senior book, and I still agree.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Game #11: LOSE
Oregon State 14
Oregon 56
I've waited too long to post the final score of our losing season, but the mourning has to stop at some point. Oregon managed to slay us in the Civil War, even with those ugly uniforms that:
1) Look like they have polka dotted shoulders from far away.
2) Appear like a kindergartener took cheap yellow tape to mark the numbers on the backs.
Apparently, the better looking uniform doesn't cut it in the decision process for winning anymore. It worked for the Dallas Cowboys when I picked them as better dressed during Superbowl XXX in 1996. Of course, my huge crush on Deion Sanders that year kind of solidified my choice too.
My dad (a Duck) found it completely funny to call with this joke some time in the third quarter: "Hey, my TV screen is really foggy right now. Can you look at the game on yours and tell me if we (the Ducks) are winning?" Oh, ha ha. (Oh, if you missed the game, it was super foggy on the field and you couldn't see a damn thing.)
So, no bowl game for my first year back in Oregon. No pride in beating that green and yellow team. This was hands down one of the most unexciting seasons we've had in a long time actually.
Rest in peace 2005 football season. I'll keep my hold on hope for next year.
Oregon 56
I've waited too long to post the final score of our losing season, but the mourning has to stop at some point. Oregon managed to slay us in the Civil War, even with those ugly uniforms that:
1) Look like they have polka dotted shoulders from far away.
2) Appear like a kindergartener took cheap yellow tape to mark the numbers on the backs.
Apparently, the better looking uniform doesn't cut it in the decision process for winning anymore. It worked for the Dallas Cowboys when I picked them as better dressed during Superbowl XXX in 1996. Of course, my huge crush on Deion Sanders that year kind of solidified my choice too.
My dad (a Duck) found it completely funny to call with this joke some time in the third quarter: "Hey, my TV screen is really foggy right now. Can you look at the game on yours and tell me if we (the Ducks) are winning?" Oh, ha ha. (Oh, if you missed the game, it was super foggy on the field and you couldn't see a damn thing.)
So, no bowl game for my first year back in Oregon. No pride in beating that green and yellow team. This was hands down one of the most unexciting seasons we've had in a long time actually.
Rest in peace 2005 football season. I'll keep my hold on hope for next year.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
My New Codename
As promised, my friend Jamie has morphed my name on his blog from Single Forever to (Not So) Single Forever. Besides being proud of my new codename, I enjoy how he describes it all (and gives evidence that my name has officially been adjusted):
Last Friday, I caught up with Single Forever, who unfortunately gentlemen, is not single anymore. She's hooked up with a lovely bloke by the name of JT (although his initials are actually JS) and he went to the University of North Carolina so we talked a lot about college basketball on Friday as we watched the Blazer game at the pub before going back to Scooter's to catch up with some more old friends.
...Tomorrow, Rivjuando and Soule Sista, will be joining (Not So) Single Forever and yours truly for the Death Cab For Cutie concert at the Crystal Ballroom. It should be a blast, if their new and past work is anything to go by.
And a note to Jamie, it's been fun having you back in Portland. I highly advise that you put in for one of those severance packages and completely relocate to the area. Look, the sun is even out for your last few days here. Isn't that incentive enough to become a permanent foreigner? I'll be waiting patiently.
Last Friday, I caught up with Single Forever, who unfortunately gentlemen, is not single anymore. She's hooked up with a lovely bloke by the name of JT (although his initials are actually JS) and he went to the University of North Carolina so we talked a lot about college basketball on Friday as we watched the Blazer game at the pub before going back to Scooter's to catch up with some more old friends.
...Tomorrow, Rivjuando and Soule Sista, will be joining (Not So) Single Forever and yours truly for the Death Cab For Cutie concert at the Crystal Ballroom. It should be a blast, if their new and past work is anything to go by.
And a note to Jamie, it's been fun having you back in Portland. I highly advise that you put in for one of those severance packages and completely relocate to the area. Look, the sun is even out for your last few days here. Isn't that incentive enough to become a permanent foreigner? I'll be waiting patiently.
Me VS Hell?
Last night, I read this on a church billboard in the Sellwood area:
START LIVING FOR GOD TO BEAT HELL
Hmmm, is it just me, or does this kind of scare you out of ever wanting to step foot inside their church? And how exactly do you beat Hell? Are they asking that I figuratively whack Hell with a big white baseball bat? Am I in a win/lose competition with Hell? Wouldn't defeating Hell completely corrupt the society we live within AND the land that God helped to create, thus essentially beating God instead?
Let's try something a little clearer and much less fear based next time Mr. Billboard Designer.
START LIVING FOR GOD TO BEAT HELL
Hmmm, is it just me, or does this kind of scare you out of ever wanting to step foot inside their church? And how exactly do you beat Hell? Are they asking that I figuratively whack Hell with a big white baseball bat? Am I in a win/lose competition with Hell? Wouldn't defeating Hell completely corrupt the society we live within AND the land that God helped to create, thus essentially beating God instead?
Let's try something a little clearer and much less fear based next time Mr. Billboard Designer.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Shopgirl
I went and watched Shopgirl on Friday with a couple friends and really enjoyed it. Jason Schwartzman's character in particular, is absolutely hilarious, and I love most everything Steve Martin takes part in.
A great factoid about this movie is that the lead singer of Red House Painters, Mark Kozelek, plays Luther, a lead singer on tour with his band and Jason Schwartzman's character. He contributes several songs to the movie as well, but they were hard to find online and in iTunes because this guy sings with several groups, and the soundtrack for the movie has been purely reserved for the score. The best song, Carry Me Ohio, is actually by his group Sun Kil Moon, and I found it while surfing through a good 60 tracks by all his different bands. This song now holds rank as the FIRST song I have ever purchased from iTunes...I am joining the ranks of the legal downloaders, sheesh.
Alright, go see Shopgirl...you'll like it.
In the meantime, I will be increasing my collection of songs led by Mark Kozelek...I love his voice.
A great factoid about this movie is that the lead singer of Red House Painters, Mark Kozelek, plays Luther, a lead singer on tour with his band and Jason Schwartzman's character. He contributes several songs to the movie as well, but they were hard to find online and in iTunes because this guy sings with several groups, and the soundtrack for the movie has been purely reserved for the score. The best song, Carry Me Ohio, is actually by his group Sun Kil Moon, and I found it while surfing through a good 60 tracks by all his different bands. This song now holds rank as the FIRST song I have ever purchased from iTunes...I am joining the ranks of the legal downloaders, sheesh.
Alright, go see Shopgirl...you'll like it.
In the meantime, I will be increasing my collection of songs led by Mark Kozelek...I love his voice.
Game #10: LOSE
Oregon State 20
Stanford 17
This should have been a freebie, our guarantee for a bowl game, but, no. We lost our QB in the second quarter, Serna missed three field goals, and our season is likely to wrap as a losing one next week when we play Oregon at Autzen Stadium for the Civil War.
Of course, I'll still watch, but talk about a heartbreaker.
Stanford 17
This should have been a freebie, our guarantee for a bowl game, but, no. We lost our QB in the second quarter, Serna missed three field goals, and our season is likely to wrap as a losing one next week when we play Oregon at Autzen Stadium for the Civil War.
Of course, I'll still watch, but talk about a heartbreaker.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Not Exactly Feng Shui
I bought a book today. Wait don't get too excited...it's not exactly a mind bending, long and drawn out piece of work. It's called:
The Little Book of Wrong Shui...How to drastically improve your life by basically moving stuff around. Honest.
It's one of those $5.99 pocket books that I would typically NEVER buy. But tonight, while on an extended tour of Borders after a stop for dinner at I Love Sushi with Jessica and Jamie, I picked this thing up and everything in it had me cracking up. If it doesn't make you laugh, you have no sense of humor. That, or I can only blame my head cold... it has clearly gotten the best of me thanks to my many overlapping doses of Sudafed and Ibuprofen over the last three days.
Anyway, here are some of the shorter wise ideas from Wrong Shui. I'll post some longer ones some other day when my head doesn't feel like it has 100 balloons holding it up:
Conversation Piece: To encourage conversation, always have one fewer chair than there are guests at a dinner party.
Mind the Gap: Removing the occasional floorboard from your home will help generate in you, and in those who visit, a heightened sense of awareness of your surroundings.
On Reflection: A mirror on the bedroom ceiling reflects badly on you. Likewise satin sheets, remote control lights, and a baby oil dispenser on the headboard.
Arumortherapy: If your workplace lacks atmosphere, position a different rumor about your colleagues in each room.
How to De-clutter Your Home Without Really Trying: Leave an open window when you go on vacation and when you return, you'll find that the problem of a cluttered living space will have resolved themselves.
Alright, I am going to bed.
The Little Book of Wrong Shui...How to drastically improve your life by basically moving stuff around. Honest.
It's one of those $5.99 pocket books that I would typically NEVER buy. But tonight, while on an extended tour of Borders after a stop for dinner at I Love Sushi with Jessica and Jamie, I picked this thing up and everything in it had me cracking up. If it doesn't make you laugh, you have no sense of humor. That, or I can only blame my head cold... it has clearly gotten the best of me thanks to my many overlapping doses of Sudafed and Ibuprofen over the last three days.
Anyway, here are some of the shorter wise ideas from Wrong Shui. I'll post some longer ones some other day when my head doesn't feel like it has 100 balloons holding it up:
Conversation Piece: To encourage conversation, always have one fewer chair than there are guests at a dinner party.
Mind the Gap: Removing the occasional floorboard from your home will help generate in you, and in those who visit, a heightened sense of awareness of your surroundings.
On Reflection: A mirror on the bedroom ceiling reflects badly on you. Likewise satin sheets, remote control lights, and a baby oil dispenser on the headboard.
Arumortherapy: If your workplace lacks atmosphere, position a different rumor about your colleagues in each room.
How to De-clutter Your Home Without Really Trying: Leave an open window when you go on vacation and when you return, you'll find that the problem of a cluttered living space will have resolved themselves.
Alright, I am going to bed.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Game #9: WIN!
Oregon State 18
University of Washington 10
I have to admit that I slept through 90% of this incredibly uneventful game. All of our points were scored on the 6 record field goal kicks by Alexis Serna..and there was almost not a TD in the house until UW decided to get one in during the last 1.5 minutes of the 4th quarter. By the end of this game, the crowd was gone and the players were asleep. But I guess we got another crucial win for bowl game contention. Truthfully, I was much more captivated by the REAL game that was played between Cal and U of O yesterday. Zzzzzzzz.
University of Washington 10
I have to admit that I slept through 90% of this incredibly uneventful game. All of our points were scored on the 6 record field goal kicks by Alexis Serna..and there was almost not a TD in the house until UW decided to get one in during the last 1.5 minutes of the 4th quarter. By the end of this game, the crowd was gone and the players were asleep. But I guess we got another crucial win for bowl game contention. Truthfully, I was much more captivated by the REAL game that was played between Cal and U of O yesterday. Zzzzzzzz.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Hey, It's November!
Let me start with a big 'love ya' to Kimmie who says she retreats to her office on bad days and reads my blog to cheer herself up. Kim, you are grrrrrrreat, and I hope that November 9th holds some good news for you. Either way, I'll be there for you. M'wah!
Okay, on with the show...
The world traveller returns...So my buddy Jamie has returned to the United States for the final leg of his five month vacation, so I am pretty excited to get to see him a few more times before he heads home to the land of Vegemite in two weeks. On November 16th, Jamie, myself, and two of his friends head to a sold out Death Cab for Cutie show at the Crystal Ballroom! Have I ever mentioned that every time I talk about Death Cab, I have little pangs of guilt for when I was with Mike and hated them FOR YEARS and bitched every time he played them? Sorry dude, I shoulda reckonized.
Two is better than one...It may be a little premature, but hey, mark your calendars NOW for January 7th! Kim and I are planning a joint bash to celebrate our 26th and 28th birthdays. Hers is the 5th and mine is the 11th, and those are both lame weekdays, so we figured we should reassign and enjoy ourselves smack in the middle of them both. We did a smaller version last year with about 20 people, and it was a blast, so stay tuned as we develop a plan for our celebration. It is likely to start in the morning with cheesy girl time and pedicures and then evolve into party time by nightfall. Yeah, that's all we have so far.
The Civil War...Okay, mark your calendars for this too. The Civil War is on November 19th this year, and I plan to do nothing other than bleed orange and black the entire day. The current plan is to head to the McMenamin's Mission Theater to watch the game. Both Beaver and Duck fans are welcome to attend. Last year, my friends here called me in Utah to brag about how much fun they were having...jerks. I haven't been in Oregon for the Civil War in four years, so the fact that I get to watch it with a bunch of good friends this year is pretty high on my list of reasons to be happy.
Damn darkness...The whole daylight savings thing has really messed with any chance of me driving home in daylight. It sucks for a couple reasons...
1) I can't see where the cops are hiding because it is too dark to see the on ramps, so...
2) I can't speed home anymore. Doesn't that suck?
In addition to the lack of light on my commute home, the INSANE amount of rain in the morning and evening has been a nightmare. I feel like my car is on waterskis...an occasionally thrilling feeling, but come on, hydroplaning for an hour on I-5 twice everyday is hardly fun.
Two is better than one, part II...Okay, most of my friends already know, and I don't write much about the subject anymore, but I don't feel the need to hide that I am happily using the word boyfriend to describe a certain guy. His name is Justin, and I won't jump the couch and annoy you all, but he's pretty damn great, really. I met him on my Max Crawling night...he's the eighth grade classmate who thought my shoes were cute. Well, he's more than that, but I'll shut up now.
Alright, gotta go eat some dinner, give my big dog a bath, and get some case notes for work done. I was going to go to the gym, but I haven't been there in so long, I can't remember where it is. Really, that's my excuse.
Okay, on with the show...
The world traveller returns...So my buddy Jamie has returned to the United States for the final leg of his five month vacation, so I am pretty excited to get to see him a few more times before he heads home to the land of Vegemite in two weeks. On November 16th, Jamie, myself, and two of his friends head to a sold out Death Cab for Cutie show at the Crystal Ballroom! Have I ever mentioned that every time I talk about Death Cab, I have little pangs of guilt for when I was with Mike and hated them FOR YEARS and bitched every time he played them? Sorry dude, I shoulda reckonized.
Two is better than one...It may be a little premature, but hey, mark your calendars NOW for January 7th! Kim and I are planning a joint bash to celebrate our 26th and 28th birthdays. Hers is the 5th and mine is the 11th, and those are both lame weekdays, so we figured we should reassign and enjoy ourselves smack in the middle of them both. We did a smaller version last year with about 20 people, and it was a blast, so stay tuned as we develop a plan for our celebration. It is likely to start in the morning with cheesy girl time and pedicures and then evolve into party time by nightfall. Yeah, that's all we have so far.
The Civil War...Okay, mark your calendars for this too. The Civil War is on November 19th this year, and I plan to do nothing other than bleed orange and black the entire day. The current plan is to head to the McMenamin's Mission Theater to watch the game. Both Beaver and Duck fans are welcome to attend. Last year, my friends here called me in Utah to brag about how much fun they were having...jerks. I haven't been in Oregon for the Civil War in four years, so the fact that I get to watch it with a bunch of good friends this year is pretty high on my list of reasons to be happy.
Damn darkness...The whole daylight savings thing has really messed with any chance of me driving home in daylight. It sucks for a couple reasons...
1) I can't see where the cops are hiding because it is too dark to see the on ramps, so...
2) I can't speed home anymore. Doesn't that suck?
In addition to the lack of light on my commute home, the INSANE amount of rain in the morning and evening has been a nightmare. I feel like my car is on waterskis...an occasionally thrilling feeling, but come on, hydroplaning for an hour on I-5 twice everyday is hardly fun.
Two is better than one, part II...Okay, most of my friends already know, and I don't write much about the subject anymore, but I don't feel the need to hide that I am happily using the word boyfriend to describe a certain guy. His name is Justin, and I won't jump the couch and annoy you all, but he's pretty damn great, really. I met him on my Max Crawling night...he's the eighth grade classmate who thought my shoes were cute. Well, he's more than that, but I'll shut up now.
Alright, gotta go eat some dinner, give my big dog a bath, and get some case notes for work done. I was going to go to the gym, but I haven't been there in so long, I can't remember where it is. Really, that's my excuse.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
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.
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.
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.
Monday, October 24, 2005
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.
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.
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