ode' to you birthday girl!

never a dull moment

wish i was there!

a slightly colder coast to the favorite

so my friend, dave, was kind enough to let the favorite and i go sea kayakingto those who may or may not know,

the favorite was a prior marine biology major

so it only seemed appropriate

to reconnect her near where "free willy" was housedwe saw some seals that were curious of us

(can you see it's head bobbing?)

and stayed far enough away from the momma and babydave's brother with a fish he caught... impressiveme posing

brother shot... chacos ready for all occasions...

even with a wet suit on
we loved this sign!
and where there is crab, you're going to find

a member of our family nearby and happy

but the fresh crab we got after the restaurant was much better.

we're just not patient enough

and we didn't have bibs like this

remembering her past and realizing her future...

so last wednesday was devoted to
taking the favorite to where her roots are

where she was born,

where we used to live, etc.
(these pictures are more for the enjoyment of family members

to remember what our place used to look like)

we found where our "used to be" green small house was
still same great location

just added on quite a lot since...hmm...20+ years ago

the woman we met bought the now 3 bed home

last year for 325K

which was a steal of a deal...

the old green rental had no porch

and when i drove through in 2000 w/pete

was not this size

this is the look of the backyard to the river

it was gorgeous!

the yard is the resting place of some of my own "my little ponies"

that i got in major trouble for burying them

so we were poor...

i didn't think that while they were "digging tunnels"

they'd actually get lost

i remember my mother being upset with a shovel

trying to find my ponies

r.i.p. pegasus & seashell

that lil' island is where i would bring my snoopy push button fishing pole

i was more of a good fisherwoman back then

i put my own bait and cleaned my own fish

not to be done anymore...

i feel sorry for the fishies!

the bridge here was built by the kind couple that lives there now

water is rough here and is loud but soothing
after a few more stops by blue river

we also went to the nearby hot springs...

waterfall near the trailhead

so i thought there wouldn't be any people around 5-6 p.m.

on a wednesday evening...

WRONG!

the favorite then experienced the second part of the trip

realization of the future

so there were at least 4 naked men and one lil hippy woman

the favorite asked what was up with the crystal on her head

who knows... chanting to mother earth?

there was a rainbow out on our way back

maybe

definately the loudest naked peeps i've met

but nice

but just like my mother says...

"i'd be nicer too if i was doing dope all the time"
we may or may have not seen that too...

the favorite hiking back towards the car

then onto eugene where i also introduced her to other future events

not only seeing a naked man

but preparing herself for marriagehood

this is what big sisters are supposed to do right?
prepare (maybe not so literally with the naked men) your sister for the future
and get her some things to be excited for her wedding night
or first year of marriage

never too late

so hours before your flight where are you?
probably not here like jaimie was...

i just had to get the hike in before she went

it was quick...

we booked it in, and boogied out of there...

but she saw it...

and made her flight

more posts to come on "the favorite's" visit...

stay tuned

change in personal religion

so i've been saying for years church dances are against my religion
my personal religion that is
i remember vetoing them years ago
only to be talked into going
if there was a cute boy i was digging
who talked me into it
or if i was the new kid in town
and thought... maybe it'll be different here

well the time came again...
now with my congregation in portland
the debate was do i go or not
the catch was... the dance was on a boat
cruising around p-town

so i went...
and actually had fun.
the lame music i have heard in my ears for years
at such dances were gone.

moving my bootie was great
were there awkward men,
sure as to be expected anywhere

i have a new open heart to hip hop music
i've been on a chill, easy, indie kick for while
well since my sister let me borrow her ipod
for the last few weeks of training
her get goin' mix
has given me beats that i've been missing

luckily i've been running in secluded places
or you may catch me dancing while running
picture that...
or singing along while running...
it's just like my friends, smash & jeff's,
version of karaoke
but only where you're the only one hearing the music
and everyone gets to laugh at you
but you can't hear them...

anyways, i'm turning a new page.
maybe not to church dances
but get me on a boat and i'll dance.

whole milk night

number one. don't judge me.

some people are alcoholics,

addicted to drugs,

do all sorts of thing to cope.

the world is full of vices

tonight i drink whole milk.

and just for the record,

going cheap and not going organic,

does taste different.

decent day at work...

i played the "significant other" role

at an end of the year party for a friend

then i saw my missed call from "michael mechanic"

the news was...

a. the same long list that the prior mechanic gave me

b. the reality that my car value is less than the amount it would take to fix my car

c. he mention that there's a slight chance it could start on fire.

my thoughts:

one. i'm grateful he's honest

two. i'm running her into the ground

three. it would be great if someone ran into me and she (civi) caught on fire

(likelihood...low. they're too conservative of drivers here)

four. i need to get a big bag in my car in case she does catch on fire

i could promptly remove my roof rack, which is of value,

and take of my license plates.

five. i should probably just start to take off my vin # now

six. maybe that vw bus should be in the plans 6 1/2 years earlier than expected

i raise my cup to you civi!

bitter n' sweet

the good news is...

i got entries into the marathon

the tragic news is...

danielle can't run with me