The New Plan

So here's what Keith and I are up to now...
A Great Leap in the Dark
Will probably be making most posts over there.

I don't think it counts as spring break unless you're somewhere warm.

This was in my PCC Inbox today.

Hey Everyone,

I know that with spring break half over you have got to be bored to
tears and really excited for the term to start anew. Because I know
how much you miss all the studying I am sending you the syllabus for
next term and the schedule so that you can get started on everything.

I hope you are having a wonderful time and don't worry this boring
vacation will be over before you know it and we can get back to having
fun.

ed

Well, it is spring.

And on Saturday night

I was changed forever.

We had tickets to see Les Claypool downtown.
A guy outside the theater was selling mushrooms.

Best live show ever, I don't know if I'll ever top it.

Amygdala-licious.


by lakbossa on Flickr

He is an amazing musician and he puts on
a stellar show. Costume changes and a dozen
different instruments.


by friedpixphoto on Flickr



by dgans on Flickr

You can hear his newest record here.
And an interview on NPR here.
And a video bit with him fishing in Idaho here.

Stop Making Sense

Sunday morning
motivational cleaning
music:
The Talking Heads

Monday sucks.

Just a little venting (in random order):

• I have a test Wednesday that I am 100% unmotivated to study for,
  
• I still don't know what I'm doing with the rest of my life (post-OHSU rejection),
  
• it's COLD! in here (although the new arrangement is very homey),
  
• I just found my shrink is "out of network" which means instead of $40/week it's $200/week (yeah, like I have that kind of money)
  
• the sink is full of dishes even though Keith washed them yesterday,
  
• I have to work a 10-hour shift tomorrow,
  
• I don't have enough USB ports to run the optical mouse and the external hard drive...

Ok, I feel like taking a nap.

But I will study instead. Because that's what an adult would do.

And I'm trying to be an adult about all this crap.
But it's hard.

Mia didn't want in the pic.

all paths are possible

I am listening to Rancid's Rejected. LOUD.

I'm taking my rejection letter from OHSU as a sign that I need to go a more non-medical route. I am good with big picture stuff, I am super right-brained. I could apply next year and wait to see if I get in. But I choose to find a different path.

The application deadline for fall semester @ PSU is April 1.

...
Meanwhile I am still working on my Theory of Everything.
...

inspiration via Funksteena

Sauvie Island Sunday

We took a Zipcar (Flexcar's new pal) to Sauvie Island. (Sans dogs. We have to put them in a crate and we gave ours to the neighbors...) No problems with the Zipcar other than I have to re-learn to drive every time I get behind the wheel. It is not like riding a bicycle. I think I am still gun shy from the Prius Accident. The sky was clear and the sun was out. It was great to get out of the city. We found several possible bike rides and planned to get the bikes new tires and tuned up. We found a caboose right off the road on the way and decided to explore it. Now Keith wants to live in one. It was pretty cool. Then we drove around the island and came home. Pictures below.



Acceptance/rejection letters from OHSU are going out in the mail this week so in a few days I will be dealing with crushing disappointment or crushing pressure.

Do. Not.

PANIC.

Mid term tomorrow
9:30a.m.
I go study now.
Listen to my study music.


To relax, let's think about February 2006, shall we?





Ahhhhh...that's better.

Linky

chameleon-off: changing colors to signal others, not hide from predators


more information for my Theory of Everything: dark fluid


metal rubber: from Science Daily again, my new favorite blog


thinking about moving next summer; the dogs need a yard

beautiful algae


Uma Thurman's dad Bob is a famous Buddhist scholar;
in this 12:00 video he teaches how we can
use the internet to become enlightened
(the best of TED)


currently reading:
The Road


if you have Charles Bonnet Syndrome
you might see floating faces!

Back in the swing

Made it back home to Keither after a roadtrip to So.Oregon for a funeral. It's always a relief to not die while we're apart. It's much better to get back home. I felt relieved as soon as I was back in Portland. I had to ride the MAX home since there wasn't time to drop me off. The roads on the way home were terrible most of the way and it added quite a bit of time to the commute. Had some good chats with the family.

sunset at other rest stop (Friday p.m.)

power out @ rest stop (Sunday a.m.)

No work and only part of school this week. Lecture's been canceled both days due to weather/cold/snow. And I took Mon & Tues as bereavement days. (2) 10-hour days this week and then the weekend. Feels off. But I'm taking advantage of Doing Nothing.

Keith turned 39 Monday. We don't get each other presents or cards usually, it's not expected anyway. But I told him at the end of the day that I felt badly--like I should've done more for his birthday. What if he changed his mind and really did want something. I asked, he said nothing in particular.

My bank ate my student loan refund check today. I told my shrink I was getting itchy to spend some money on a new tattoo. But I have to be responsible, whatever that is, and pay some bills first. But you can be guaranteed my tax refund money will be spent on personal decoration. Having big chunks of money delivered in the mail is bizarre. Makes me lust for new tattoos, new computers, new things of all kinds that I don't really need. We're talking about saving money to move to some place that has a yard for the doggies. They need to be able to go outside more. Lazlo reminds me with his head on my lap, nudging my arm with his nose. Small whines. Pathetic look.

Still waiting to hear from OHSU. I've made several possible scenarios in my head and my response to them, although I'm sure one exists that I haven't thought of. Aside from my fears and concerns about going to OHSU, if I get in I'll be super excited so just forget I had any reservations.

"...the whole notion that someone has a 'career'
instead of just doing whatever you feel like doing
at any given time has always amused me
when it didn't make me wanna vomit." (Lester Bangs,
"An Instant Fan's Inspired Notes:
You Gotta Listen," 1980)

Through, apparently, no fault of my own I've been promoted at work to a position that is very conducive to my outside interests/school/day dreaming. No supervision, really. No production quotas. Cool smart people to work with. It's nice actually, I appreciate that my universe is conspiring with me in this way. Especially since I've recently become obsessed with finding A Theory of Everything. I have been assured by a medical professional that I am not "committable," so just go with it. So I spend a lot of my work days reading The Internets. One of the theories out there is String Theory, but no one knows of a way to prove it. And I certainly don't claim to be able to figure out how to do that---physicstalk puts me into a coma. However, quantum mechanics is a very interesting field to me and I've started keeping a notebook of information I think is related or can later be incorporated into a ToE. Mostly science, but also sociology, and the paranormal. I had an awakening a few weeks ago and I've been heading down this path ever since. It feels ridiculous to be thinking about such abstract and seemingly useless ideas, but what else do I have to think about? I mean Daily Life can only occupy so much of my brain capacity. So I am actively seeking information on: string theory, parallel universes, the paranormal, ADD, neurology, anatomy of the brain, DNA vs. RNA, consciousness, infinity... please contribute if you can. Did you hear about this surfer dude with a Ph.D. who submitted his ToE? To varied reactions.

We joined Flexcar and it appears they let us join. There was some concern on my end that the unfortunate incident with the rental car would keep us from joining. For all intents and purposes we should receive our Welcome Package in the mail this week or next. Which means: day trips out of the freakin city, buying items that are too large to carry home, taking the dogs to other dog parks and the river, etc. maybe even Sauvie Island!, grocery shopping outside of our walking radius (WinCo!) It's surprisingly cheap. Well, it all depends on the type of car you want and how long you need it, but it seems like it will be a good fit for us.

map of locations of available cars in PDX

funeral flowers

class was canceled so I studied in the cafeteria

I will moderate in 2008.

Yes, that's right. 2008 is all about moderation.
That may be challenged if I get into OHSU.
But a good practice nonetheless.

Here's a look back at 2007.

How much rain? Buckets.

Actually, a lot less than last year.
(seem like)

But along that theme, since it was plenty rainy today, something to listen to during the slideshow.
Buckets of Rain by Neko Case (Bob Dylan cover)

Breaking it up

That's right, no more school. Until Jan7. Only one class has posted grades, but it was the class I was struggling with most and I got a B, so I feel safe. The other two should be posted tomorrow. Then I can really breathe. I'm only taking one class next quarter--A&P part II, and not on the weekends, so Keith and I can spend more time together. My application to OHSU is in and I check the status online about every 17 hours. We got the bill for the Prius and it's about as much as we make in one year. I have to pester the other person's insurance co. to get the money to pay Dollar. Good times. I don't know what I'll be doing while I'm on break these next few weeks. Some reading, for sure. Something creative. We got the sewing machine out and prototypes are being made. It's Sunday and that means rest: Shomer shabbos!

Shut Yer Mouth!

Keith: Can you imagine what it's like to be Paul Rodgers? He was in Free, they got super popular, he was in Bad Company, and now he's the new Freddie Mercury.

Me: There is no new Freddie Mercury. You are a blasphemer!

Keith: You're right.
[stands up straight with his arms by his side]
I should be struck by a pink lightning bolt.

Sorry, baby, but I had to crash that Prius.

(Fabienne: Where's my Honda?
Butch: Sorry baby but I had to crash that Honda.)

This was the beginning of our Thanksgiving weekend.

A weekend that was supposed to be relaxing and easy turned a little stressful as we went through the intersection on Hwy 12 in Walla Walla, Washington. We rented this little blue Prius, a 2008 with less than 3500 miles on it, and crashed it. The Subaru's 18-year old driver pulled out in front of us---from a stop sign onto the highway--without even looking in our direction. Luckily I was slowing down, thinking she would see us and stop---but she didn't and we wrecked. Bad times. Everyone's ok and honestly although that's what everyone always says is the most important thing: it is. The dogs were shaken up but not injured. Keith scraped up his arm a bit, but nothing serious. Ended up getting a ride up to the Walla Walla airport and rented another car (without disclosing why we needed one).

My First Car Accident.

the doggies comfort each other in the new rental car

When fall comes on

My brain is firing a little sharper these days and I was very excited to get an A on my first A&P test. (But a B-/C+ on my lab test...booo. Average of B is still good, though.) I feel like I have been through brain summer camp, like when you have 2x day practices before the sports season and then you get the point where your legs don't burn anymore. I have the GRE next week and then I have to finish my application to OHSU. Ten page paper coming up in Human Development (psychedelics and human development--more on that later). Two more A&P tests (and 2 more lab tests), 1 more Micro test (one practicum today then one more). I'm writing this more as a reminder to myself.



Mia was chewing gum the other day. Keith asked her where she got it, but she wouldn't fess up. Then he saw she'd stepped in it and was trying to clean her paw. For once she had minty fresh breath.

"They're like presents on the street." I made the mistake of putting a movie called The Gleaners and I in our Netflix queue. About people who go through the fields after harvest to take the surplus that will otherwise go to waste. Then it morphs into urban gleaning, one guy didn't have to buy food for over 10 years--he scavenged it all. Hadn't been sick once from food poisoning. Still, braver than I. But the main theme of the movie was taking things people had thrown away and putting them to use. One guy said, "I am a retriever." Keith took notes. One day our house will filled with these presents Keith finds. But not in that way of the brothers who were smothered by their own junk.

my super cute husband

My grandpa was a collector. I'd say my dad is a collector. And my husband is a collector. It's an interesting thing.

We're pretty low-maintenance people. Keith's going to meet me downtown where we'll pick up dinner from Vegetarian House and head home....mmmmm... where we'll probably watch a movie on the couch with the dogs and eat chinese food together to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. We picked this date kinda arbitrarily because it's the first date we can both remember going on. Back when we were sneaking around the bagel shop and waking up to Blinded by the Light-volume at 11, sitting in Rick's car at the company barn dance? What was that? I don't know. There was hay in a barn. Oh yeah, it was Benjamin Ranch. I lived near The Plaza and Keith lived out in Lenexa so we split time between the two. Then in January, I think it was around Keith's birthday, we decided to live together. I really don't know what I was thinking. I was 18. He was 28. And now it's been 10 years and that's CRAZY. It's been good and it's been not all that great, but it's good now and only getting better. I'm really thankful for my husband and I keep finding out I love him more.

Here's a slideshow from our dog walk on Sunday. The fall leaves are beautiful here and the weather's been great, not much rain at all. This is the first year I've really liked fall as a season. I used to think of it as the end of summer.

Sunday

It was my first week on my new work schedule. Half a day Monday and off on Wednesday, 10-hour days for Tues, Thurs, Fri. The 10-hour days are a little much; I'm gone from the house from 7a-7:30p. But it seems to work with school and giving me time to get homework/studying done. I got an A on my first Microbiology quiz, so I'm feeling pepped up. Keith's been holding down the fort and having trouble occupying his time.

Amanda was in town this weekend to visit friends. We met up at Voodoo, cruised the Saturday Market, and then headed up to the Rose Garden. Keith and I hadn't been up there since last winter. It was very nice, great weather. So, here's a slideshow!

Swiftly

We're not birders. But these birds--Vaux's swifts-- are pretty neat. Apparently they have some kind of bird internet and on this bird internet there's a message board where they all read about coming to Chapman School. All month they come here every night before sunset and make a big bird tornado that goes down the chimney.



Here's a cool (and short) video from last night.


I started school last night. Microbiology. Micro for short, they say. Nothing over my head. 90 minutes of lecture on the history of Micro and then 90 minutes of lab. (Repeat 2x week for 11 weeks.) Refresher course on using a microscope. I have a cool lab partner, which is a relief. Why does college sometimes feel like PE class and I know I'm going to get picked last for dodgeball. So, instead I choose the seat by the door and wind up with someone cool. Take that, college!

It's a long arduous crowded MAX ride up to Interstate Ave. and then a super quick bike ride, about 7 blocks, to campus. But I think I can find an all-bike route and do that at least one way. Bonus: PB&J for dinner and a bike ride home will help me get skinny again.

I won't have much free time or brain power to spend on the internets (Keith is really upset about that) but I will try to write updates just to keep myself a little more sane.

The weekend of recuperation....ahhhhh

That was this weekend. When we watched TV all weekend (The Wire is good), ate horribly bad (nutritionally) but good (deliciously) food, and only ventured outside to take the dogs out. We were L-A-Z-Y. The last couple weeks had drained us so it was nice to charge our batteries.

Keith's mom flew out to go with us to Idaho over Labor Day weekend. So 3 adults and 2 dogs drove all night across 3 states. It was a little cramped and maybe I should have let the guy @ Dollar Rent-a-car upsell me to the Toyota Highlander, but I just couldn't justify the extra cost. And Monday on the ride home I got a knot in my back and Tuesday I went home early-- in hindsight that Highlander might have been a good choice.

We had a good visit with my family, but it wasn't as laid back as our usual trips to Kamiah. So we're hoping to make it back over for Thanksgiving for some real slow quality time. And I went to my 10-year reunion which was a lot less angst-y than high school, so maybe it's true that we've all grown up a little. It seemed to be. I think I was one of three or four in our class that hadn't reproduced--a distinction I am happy to have. It was really nice to see everyone actually, although there were a few people missing.

I also got to see my friend the day after she had her baby. I called her today to see how she's doing and she was excited to tell me that she's back down to her pre-pregnancy weight----2 weeks later. Sheeeesh. She sounds like she is doing well and Matthew sounds like an easy baby. He sure is a cutie, especially for a newborn. (see slideshow) Matthew's dad is Native American and they gave Matthew Bad Boy Grizzly Bear as a middle name (in Nez Perce). That's about the most bad ass middle name I've ever heard.

Here's a slideshow of the weekend, in summary.


I am getting sweaty palms about the upcoming school year. Classes start in 2 weeks! Today I had a mini-panic attack when I read that my application to the OHSU program is due December 1st and I won't be done with my prereq's until spring, but I was assured that credits in progress are ok as long as I'm done by next summer (when the OHSU program starts). So that's good news.

But that also means I have to take the GRE, get my references/recommendations, and crank out an essay by 12/1. Working full time and taking a full load of anatomy/physiology, microbiology, and human development classes in the meantime means I am pretty glad to have the next couple weeks to do As Little As Possible.

Luckily, this is something I've practiced and become quite good at.

(and I would fail that portion of the GRE in which it is forbidden to place prepositions at the end of the sentence)

Portland Adult Soapbox Derby etc.

Yesterday we hiked up to the Soapbox Derby and it was great.
It was on a course at Mt. Tabor (extinct volcano!).
Mt. Tabor makes Portland one of only two cities in the continental U.S. to have an extinct volcano within its boundaries; the other city is Bend, Oregon. The volcanic features of Mt. Tabor became known in 1912, years after it became a public park. The volcanic cinders discovered in the park were later utilized in surfacing the park's roads.

I made a slideshow, but you'll see most of the soapbox on the second page of it...so keep going. We stayed for a couple hours and left when we started seeing the same cars, so we don't know who won. They ran several heats of 3 cars at a time. Keith took notes and is already brainstorming his entry for next year. He will consult his father-in-law over Labor Day weekend. Maybe come up with some schematics. This is not 'Nam, there are rules.

Overheard at the derby:
"Heads up, Godzilla!"
"I'm, like, by now you have to have seen The Matrix."
"Well, you know if we get hit, we get hit."
"Deploy the parachute!"

Marker

Last week I did what I've been wanting to do since almost last December or so:

I got a new tattoo that marks my surviving the past couple of years. This is a very personal tattoo, and when I explain it to people it either sounds ridiculously cheesy or slightly psychotic. In reality, in my reality, it is neither. I knew several elements that I wanted to incoporate and I took a very rough mock up to a studio and Ed drew up the design for me. I was a little nervous because I'd picked the shop b/c it was Painless Steel (a branch of where we went in Missoula) but when we got there it wasn't Painless anymore. I talked with Ed and looked at his portfolio and he gave me a price quote and told me some ideas for the design. A couple weeks later (last Wednesday) I went back to the shop. Ed showed me the design and I was amazed. It was so much better than I could have imagined. At that point any remaining reservations I had were gone. 2 hours later, I walked out with this.

After it heals, in about 7 days, I'll go back for the rest: filling in the butterflies, shading, touch ups. Then it will be finished. When I got home to show Keith he was equally amazed. So despite some trepidation about it not being Painless Steel, Ed @ Anatomy Tattoo won our business for the foreseeable future.

And that afternoon I met Matt Gone. He works down the street from our building and we see him pretty often but I'd never talked to him. He saw my fresh tattoo and gave me his business card. He said he'd just gotten a new one, too, and lifted his pant leg which was entirely covered in tattoos. And he pointed to a train and said it was a I-think-I-can train. Ok.

from his website:

"I just wanted to do something nearly impossible before I die.

I was also born with birth defects. The tattoos hide them and make my body something I can be proud of instead of hating.

This project began in 1990 and has cost over $65,000 so far. $20,000 of that was earned as a dishwasher in New Orleans' French Quarter."

Interesting guy. He's been on Ripley's Believe It or Not. And he's been tattooed by The Enigma!

See, Mom--it could be worse.

We're still making the new apartment home-y. Keith hung these frames. All free from the guy who used to have this apt.

We're going to paint the wall. And then hang some Items in the frame. 2-d. 3-d. Recycled paint is only $5/gal, so I think we're going that route. Brick red? Gray?

Here's a photo straight out of the 90s, color-wise from our dog walk the other day. This is my sister circa 1992, in leaf form. Ok, me, too. But she was the color coordinating freak.

The dogs have been crazy for the outside lately. Lazlo lays down on the sidewalk, wherever. So I try to take them to the park in the afternoons, or a walk. And Keith takes them off leash to the triangle in the mornings.

Couch Park

The Triangle

sharing is caring

The End.

Friday Night Slides

Week in review,
Blankenship style

Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate

or: Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.

That's what it says above the door at Dante's.
Keith and I decided to go out Saturday night to see Deadbolt--"The Scariest Band in the World." We don't go out that often because we're cheap and lazy, and we usually think it sounds like a good idea in advance but when the time rolls around we say, Aw, let's just stay home and watch Netflix. But Keith found Deadbolt on the internet a while back and we saw their poster by chance on a dog walk last week.

Deadbolt, and the 2 bands that opened for them, can probably be described as psychobilly bands: "a mix between late-1970s punk and 1950s American rockabilly." Well, ok the first band, Cold Hearted Trio, was more rockabilly than psychobilly. And, ok, the second band (Dead Man's Hand) calls themselves "666% metalbilly." But I think you can imagine they're all in a similar category. So here's a sample of our night, and the rest of the weekend if you keep going through to the second page. I'm digging this slideshow feature thingy.



Of course after we had a great time we said, once again, We should do this more often. And our chance is coming up---MusicFest NW! Keith and I recently watched a documentary called You're Gonna Miss Me about Roky Erickson; he basically invented psychadelic rock with his band The 13th Floor Elevators. From his website: "The Elevators only had one chart hit, the Roky-penned You're Gonna Miss Me, but their influence was far reaching. R.E.M., ZZ Top, T-Bone Burnett, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and The Cramps have all either recorded or played live versions of Roky's songs. In addition to these performers, Roky is an acknowledged influence on such diverse musicians as Robert Plant, Janis Joplin, Patti Smith, Henry Rollins, The Butthole Surfers, Jon Spencer, and current indie hit-makers The White Stripes." So, we were amazed by the movie. He's one of those people that the music flows out of effortlessly--someone who is made to make music. Check out this video!


Struggling with drug abuse and schizophrenia, Roky spent 3 years in Rusk State Hospital after pleading insanity on marijuana charges. After losing interest in music, he became a recluse, living in poverty and filth until his brother was granted guardianship of Roky and has helped him get his life back on track. (from imdb.com)

So, anyway....we're definitely going to that. And there's a few other bands that I might try to drag Keith to. Okkervil River, Horse Feathers, Spoon. This is all happening the week after we get back from Kamiah (Labor Day weekend).

And I will have some exciting news to share next week, but for now that is a surprise. (Does not involve dogs or children.)

Trying out a new feature

for Spontaneous Combustion



but doesn't work on Wordpress. Booooo.

Kub>Grizzly>Panther

Student Services building @ PCC Cascade

I met with my advisor today @ PCC. She set me up with overrides for the classes I needed and gave me some great advice about applying to OHSU. So I am signed up for 13 credits. I had planned on taking 17, but the last class was full. It's probably going to work out ok though because she assured me that all classes are offered all terms and that means I should be able to complete all the prereq's before the OHSU program starts next summer. (And I think 13 credits of microbiology, anatomy, and human development will be a-plenty.) That's assuming I get in to the OHSU program. If I don't...well, I'll have to make another plan after that. But I'm in the mindset that I will.

This is the closest campus for me and I have options to get there: bike, bus, MAX or a combo of all three. I'll be there Monday and Wednesday nights until 9p and Saturdays from 9a-4p. Ugh. Keith's going to be a single parents for a while.

Awesome/Stupid

Many activities of the Blankenships fall into these categories, sometimes---ok, most of the time--simultaneously.

Most recent case in point: connecting to the Intertubes. I'm no Dungeons and Dragons nerd, but I can usually operate the necessary computer components to get me what I want: online. But connecting the wireless router to have internet access on the laptop stumped me. Stump the Chump! All last night I fretted and stewed and contemplated and searched tech forums far and wide. No go.

Tonight Keith got home after I'd just gotten off the phone with Comcast, clinging to a bit of hope about the solution. Again, we had 100% signal strength but Firefox wouldn't open. Keith walks over to the router and says, "Maybe these are plugged in wrong."

Hmmm.

Keith is even less technologically minded than I am. But he cracked the code!!
I sleep/eat/live/walk dogs with a regular John Nash. (We just watched A Beautiful Mind again last week.)

Okay, so the point is:

We have 2 internets!
YAY!!!

And now:

Yesterday Keith woke up and wasn't feelin' it.
"It" being work.
So he called in. And I am lucky enough to have flexible hours at my job so I went to work for a few hours and I'll pick up what I missed later in the week. We both rationalized Not Working On a Monday (Excluding Holidays) by saying that soon I will be really busy and we won't have as much quality time together and...who cares. Mondays are for losers.

The Big Lebowski: You don't go out looking for a job dressed like that? On a weekday?
The Dude: Is this a... what day is this?

We had a lengthy list of items to accomplish and we only got to mark off one. Body Worlds.
If you don't know what Body Worlds is and you aren't clicking on that link right there, here's a synopsis: "people skinned and put into plastic," says Keith. Seriously, though. It was weird and cool and not as gross as I thought it would be. But I am still processing what I saw. My favorite was the camel, which was a surprise toward the end.

That's one camel head/neck cut into 3 sections.
And baby camel.

soccer player
an example of the human specimens
but they are all in different poses
and have different things exposed

The creator of plastination,
Professor* Gunther von Hagens
on the right
*2 honorary professorships

There is some controversy around the show and von Hagens himself. Of course, many religious institutions object but that seems to stem from their belief that the soul is integral to humans and not represented by these mortal bodies. Well, fine. Can't we just appreciate them as bodies? They are fascinating, intricate machines.

The other arguments against Body Worlds (cited from the mildly reliable Wikipedia) are more serious to me:

• In October 2003, a parliamentary committee in Kyrgyzstan investigated accusations that von Hagens had illegally received and plastinated several hundred corpses from prisons, psychiatric institutions and hospitals in Kyrgyzstan, some without prior notification of the families. Von Hagens himself testified at the meeting; he said he had received nine corpses from Kyrgyzstan hospitals, none had been used for the Body Worlds exhibition, and that he was not involved with nor responsible for the notification of families.
• In January 2004, the German news magazine Der Spiegel reported that von Hagens had acquired some corpses from executed prisoners in China; he countered that he did not know the origin of the bodies and went on to cremate several of the disputed cadavers. German prosecutors declined to press charges, and Von Hagens was granted an interim injunction against Der Spiegel in March 2005, preventing the magazine from claiming that Body Worlds contain the bodies of executed prisoners.

Also, just look at the guy.
CREEEEEEEEEEEEPY.

What else.
We took an impromptu bike ride and covered a lot of ground. We realized we didn't have any lights a little to late, but we were lucky to make it to a MAX station and ride the train home.

Keith found a mini bike.
Watch him try to ride it.

Bah ha ha!!
We saw 2 gay cowboys getting out of an oversized mantruck and go into the PPAA (for a dance? the internet was not much help). I was too chicken to ask to take their picture, so we circled around and got one of their truck.

We finished moving into our new apartment. It still needs some work, but we're all in.

We experimented with cold brew coffee. And we are converts! (Our third favorite activity, converting.) It takes some time and a little effort but the acidity in the coffee is zero and you can make it in bulk and enjoy it for weeks. It's delicious. And, because I love you---yes, you---here's the secret recipe.

New Orleans Cold Drip Coffee

Keith ranted about something as we were riding across the perpetually-under-construction Burnside Bridge.

Isn't he adorable?

Move along, nothing to see here.

before the move, Lazlo is getting used to having furniture again

Yes, that's right. We're finally moving. In the process of. Which is not too stressful, 2 flights down with an elevator, but plenty tiring. We started Sunday afternoon and we're piecing it together every night after work. Last night Keith schlepped the fridge downstairs. (They ordered a new one for the apt, but it's easier just to move ours. Plus: not having to clean it.) Tonight: the kitchen table and various odds/ends.

huge bedroom with huge closets

A 2-week unintentional experiment called Do I Need to Be Medicated is ending today when I go to Walgreens Pharm. It was a disaster that culminated in a lot of crying, staring into space, and sleeping. So, the answer to the experiment is: Yes, for now. Confounding variables excluded. Like I said, it was unintentional and I could blame it on the pharmacy or my NP or moving or whatever, but basically it was me being too lazy to follow up on my refill not being refilled in a timely manner. I think the results of the experiment became Really Official when I opened up the mailbox to find my beloved Sun Magazine, 2 t-shirts I ordered from Threadless, and 2 Netflix and all of this caused me to get weepy. Mail should not make you cry. Even if it's a good cry. And, also, not a good time to be reading Good Grief ("about a young woman who stumbles, then fights to build a new life after the death of her husband"). Great book and all, I can't stop reading it, but it's just a little too easy to imagine myself in that deep hole eating Oreos by the package and not showering for days and watching Cops marathons on an air mattress in the living room.

from Busted Tees

So, you know, other than moving and my mental health hanging like a loose tooth, things are fine.

Keith just called from work. Someone he works with gave him a trumpet. This is very exciting!! He was offered a full ride band scholarship when he was in HS in Wyoming but wasn't able to take advantage of it and I don't even know how long it's been since he's played. I'll have to post some video.

How a grocery store scanner works

We love us some Sifl & Olly.

Damn right I got the blues.

That was a sticker I saw at the Blues Festival last night.

I had checked out the concert schedule and written down several bands I wanted to see (Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Mavis Staples) but, as with any plans to go out in public and deal with crowds, the time approached and we were thinking we might as well just stay home. But we've regretted not seeing enough live music, so I played some Mavis Staples for Keith and in 10 minutes we were leaving the house.

The first stage we saw a zydeco band (must have been Donna Angelle and Zydeco Posse) and then Keith wanted to cruise the food vendors. He found a shack selling catfish and fries for $7. The fries were delicious and Keith said the catfish was, too. It was a huge filet, way more than $7 worth.

We did see Mavis Staples, but it was a huge crowd (she was on the main stage) and we were about 200 yards from the stage. So we hung out for a few minutes and then decided to circle around and see who was on the smaller stages. (We watched a few minutes of Live Earth they had on a side screen; The Police performed. Pretty pretty good. Sting's looking good for being in his mid-50s.)

carved watermelons @ a food shack

Then we heard some great music coming from behind a double-decker bus. There was a Workshop Stage and, by looking at the schedule, I can only guess it was Johnny Sansone. Excellent music.

The last band we saw was Jeffrey Broussard & the Creole Cowboys. They put on a great show.


Then it was over. Well, it continued in the Marriott or something, but eh. We were disappointed, but I guess that's what we get for showing up late.

Also this weekend: furniture!

Thanks craigslist. Apparently we're moving this next week(end?) so it's starting to feel more like we live in an apartment instead of a storage unit. How simple---furniture.

OK, wrap it up.

Last remnants of the weekend @ the coast...

Disputed Shortest River in the World

We were nearly eaten by a large caterpillar!

Then some squids invaded, with a pink owl.

This local resident was shocked at what he had seen.

some digging and socializing

Sand Mouth

the other covered bridge we found

let's get these doggies rollin'

Fourth of July is coming up and we might or might not be able to watch fireworks @ PGE Park from the table, depending on which apartment we're in by then. We fully expect the dogs to go berserk, so I don't know what we have planned. The Blues Festival starts Wednesday so we might try to catch some of that next weekend.

I'll miss the views and the people watching when we move, but the traffic and drunk fray boys down on Burnside, not so much. Today I watched a cop sit in his car in the Starbucks parking lot for over 30 minutes. Makes you wonder who's watching you when you don't realize it... And the construction workers at the apartment building this side of the Civic are still plodding along, so soon whoever lives in this apartment won't be able to walk around naked at all. Good thing we're moving.

The next big excitement, after moving, will be going back to my hometown for my 10 year high school reunion over Labor Day weekend. Eeek. And even more exciting--and a little scary--I'll be picking up 17 credits Monday and Wednesday nights and then Saturday from 9-4 at the local community college beginning mid-September. I have to take 9 200-level classes in order to apply for a program @ OHSU. I'm hoping to have them all completed or in progress by summer '08 to start their 3-year accelerated program to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Nursing is one of the best fields to be in right now and will probably stay stable, if not grow, for the rest of my working life. So, in order to live in a small town comfortably, I'm going to take 4 years now and get a graduate degree in nursing. It's a little intimidating, knowing I will have to study and be disciplined, but the payoff will be so great--that will keep me going.

Wave And A Sigh

Bon Savants-Between the Moon and the Ocean

It was successful. All four Blankenships (two being of the canine persuasion) made it home safely from the coast. Which is not what happened in my alternate universe. In that version: the dogs were in a bloody heap in the driveway. And I am grateful that is not how my weekend wrapped. Keith said, "I would've told Merry...'Keep going. There's nothing in that house we need.'"

About 30 seconds after we left to go get ice cream on Saturday afternoon (we were at the coast on vacation, what do you expect?) one or both of the dogs jumped up on the wall and opened the garage door. Yes, two pit bulls were running loose in Lincoln City.

No, but the funny thing was: we were pulling up to the townhouse after ice cream and there were 2 cop cars leaving the complex. We joked, haha They're here to see us.

Well, really. An old scraggly man, VietNam vet, who "knew German Shepherds but didn't know nuthin' about pit bulls" yelled for someone to call animal control after he saw our dogs escape from the garage. And the police showed up and chased Mia and Lazlo around the townhouse a couple of times and eventually corralled them into the garage.

How this happened without Mia biting someone, I really don't know. Lazlo is of no concern. He's about as ferocious as a rabbit and will grind an organ for treats. He's easy to manipulate. But Mia's smart. Clever. She's played the Catch Me game before and also has shown us she hates a) strangers b) men c) men talking to her and d) men coming toward her. So these cops fit 4 out of 4 on Mia's Things I Hate List.

I think these policemen, who did not react as so many others do--out of fear, deserve something special. I'll have to think of what that is. But I have said 1 million Thank Yous that we came home to dogs out of breath instead of not breathing at all. It could have gone so wrong. We are so lucky.

Lesson: Don't just shut the garage door. Latch the garage door.

Everything else was tip top. We took the dogs to run off leash on the beach early in the morning and late in the afternoon when the beach was empty for long stretches. They had, what appeared to be, a fantastic time. We were unsure how Mia would react to the water, with her history of The Hurricane and all. She met the first waves cautiously, but ended up running in the water as much as Lazlo. She's a Rocket Dog. I have some video to put up in the next few days.




We were there for the Kite Festival, by chance. It was pretty cool. I'd never seen anything like that before. People from all over the country with all sizes and shapes of kites.

Lincoln City was named Kite Capital of the World by "Kitelines" Magazine.

We decided to take the long way home, so we headed south instead of north Sunday morning.

Keith @ Cape Foulweather

clouds over Albany, OR
on our way to see some covered bridges

Keith @ the 1st bridge

More in the next round...

Short Week

As we get ready to take a 4-day'er to the coast this next weekend...
a lazy post.

My friend Amber got her Master's this weekend.
Congratulations, smarty pants!
(She was valedictorian of our HS class 10 years ago.)

We stopped for a few minutes and watched
them move The Carriage House,
slower than a turtle and attracting a crowd.
"The Ladd Carriage House, regarded as one of the most important historic structures in downtown Portland, will move three blocks west this morning. The house will return to its historic site late next year, on top of a new underground parking garage. The 55-foot-tall, 530,000-pound building will be pushed to Southwest Columbia Street about 6 a.m., and then will be moved from Southwest Broadway to Southwest 10th Avenue."
More on the move at The Oregonian
including a time-lapse video of the move
(which is pretty awesome!).

The Old Church
downtown
Built in 1883
The location selected drew severe criticism from some members
who said it was much "too far out in the country."

Getting anniversary dessert from St. Cupcake last Sunday

NEXT week: photos from the coast!

Another year of wood

Wood, candy, or iron. Wood was last year, too. What's the meaning of that? Strength, maybe.

When I logged on to the Hype Machine this morning for some Anniversary Sunday Music, the first song was Happy Days by Ted Hawkins. (Click Play below and you can listen to it while you read the rest, kthxbye.)



Good way to start our 7th year married.

In Kansas City, not long after we met

The 100th Rose Festival is this weekend. The city is crawling with tourists and everyone from the suburbs descends on downtown. There was a big brouhaha about people coming to town the week before the parade to mark out "their space" on the sidewalks and streets with tape. (After the city recently passed a sit/lie ordinance that prohibits people--mostly focusing on the homeless--from sitting or laying down on the sidewalks people are allowed to reserve public space and litter, but just this weekend. Double standard-much?) So a local weekly paper decided to man a group of volunteers to tear up all of the tape because you don't save a spot for a parade. You wake your ass up early and get a good spot. (The parade didn't start until 10am.)

a participant in the Portland Mercury's No Tape Left Behind program

Of course our local media has nothing better to do than report on whether or not there were any crying kids the next morning when they found the tape was gone.

The only thing I'm remotely interested in is the Dragon Boat Races.

from Portland Daily Photo

And Keith wants to go down to the waterfront and see the ships. It's also Fleet Week. Could get some cool photos. Keith wanted to get up and walk down there at sunrise. But he was so nice to his wife on his anniversary that he took the dogs out early, came back to bed, and let her sleep until 9:30. Awww...

So we were debating whether or not this weekend would be a good time to see Body Worlds @ OMSI. All I know is I don't want to keep putting it off until it's too late. An estimated 300,000-400,000 will go through the exhibit before it leaves in a few months. But I think we're just going to take it easy today and relax at home. We're probably moving in the next couple of weeks (and then going to the coast) so maybe we should relax while we can.

And today is also my mom's birthday! Happy Birthday, Mom!

Soundtrack for the Weekend

Check out this crazy Western video for this band with some amazing guitar and Queen-esque 4-part harmony. You know we love us some Queen. This is the theme music @ Casa de Blankenship.



This is the outside of the 2nd apartment we're interested in...up Trinity off of Burnside. Behind that gate there's a slate patio and a few steps down to an apt. Mark is moving stuff out of it, so we should be able to look at it soon. Roxanne said we could look at both and decide...

I read a great book this week called This Book Will Save Your Life. It was the first book I've finished in...a while. I usually read about 7/8ths and then go, Well, I get it... and return it to the library. Several times I had to stop and think: Wow when I was reading this one.

Keith and Mia @ the Triangle this morning

I just saw a guy riding the nose of the Face in the Crowd sculpture like a bull on the west side of PGE Park. And his frat brother buddies took some flash photos. These are the people that are carousing on the sidewalk at 2am under our bedroom window. But we don't have to listen to them anymore since Keith put the a/c in the window. It's summer now. Drunk sports fans and various others bar patrons whooping it up. What ever happened to Quiet Hours: 10p-6a?! Damn kids. And did you know that garbage trucks are exempt from city noise ordinances since they are considered Industrial Noise and that's part of living on Burnside, I guess. So, either way--moving into the interior of the building on the 2nd floor or up the street in the basement I think the crashing of glass out of recycling containers will be a little more muffled. We live on a block that has 3 bars in it---there's a lot of glass. It's loud!

eastside Face in the Crowd sculpture

Also: Keith and I are very interested to see this movie called Off the Grid: Life on the Mesa if/when it comes to town. It's still in film festival rotation apparently. You can watch the trailer here.

Twenty-Five miles from town, a million miles from mainstream society, a loose-knit community of radicals live in the desert, struggling to survive with little food, less water and no electricity, as they cling to their unique vision of the American dream.

It looks crazy.

Tell me this isn't the scariest photo you've seen today:

More here.

Over the long weekend...

Keith got a new bike.

Check out this monster.
I didn't know bikes came this big.
37" tall
Check it out compared to his old bike, the black one behind it.
He says it's the perfect size and he'll keep it forever and ever.

decorated with stickers from Amanda

also, burrito night

Memorial Day

Proportional military deaths map
CLICK TO ENLARGE

With four days left in the month, not counting the unidentified body, 103 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq, according to Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, an independent Web site that monitors civilian and military casualties. (via NY Times)

• Wounded and killed soldiers broken down by state
• Attacks on Iraqis
• Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)

• Soldiers from Idaho killed
• Soldiers from Oregon killed

Sat-ur-day.

found some chalk

checked out the river

carnival @ Waterfront Park


walked home under I-405

Check out my new widget.

The new flash widget from last.fm on the top right.
(Click on the Play button next to the song and it plays a sample.)

The fire alarm went off three times today. No fires. PFD showed up twice.

Roxanne (our apt. mgr.) said there is an opening in one of the other buildings in about a month and the owner wanted to offer it to us first. It's a daylight basement apt on the side street, off Burnside. And there's a little slate patio out there...and we would just have to go out the side gate, not down the elevator/stairs, through the front door, and down the usually-crowded sidewalk.
Very interesting...

Keith's home. Time to forage for dinner.

Black is the new black.

The deal is this: an all white web page uses about 74 watts to display, while an all black page uses only 59 watts. (Links are green now.)

Also, new header!

everyday, it still feels, like a Thursday, (oooooo)

(^The Futureheads)

Happy Thursday, internets. I VTO'd @ 1:00p today and also all day tomorrow, so I'm rocking the 3-day weekend. Just not the same 3-day weekend as Keith. He has Monday off; I do not. VTO is Initechspeak for Voluntary Time Off, which they offered to everyone on our contract since they're over their billing amount for the month. So I get an email yesterday saying I can have Thursday and Friday off and still have perfect attendance for the month ( = 4 paid hours) and I really planned on staying all day today, but I came back from lunch lessthanmotivated. I just couldn't stop thinking that as soon as I was off work my weekend was starting and then I just thought, Well why not just start now? I mean, come on. Procrastinator!

Looking forward to giving the apt the hose down in anticipation of/preparation for moving in a few weeks. Which we both just assume is still happening. We haven't heard otherwise. Austin, the guy who lives there now, keeps giving us things. He says because Keith is helping him build and move some things. I told Keith to tell Austin just to leave it down there so we don't have to move it twice. The other night he brought over a 50# sack of new rice. He said the rice you get in the store is old rice. !! Did you know this?? I didn't. So new rice takes less water, I guess. Maybe the internets will tell me. He also gave us a bunch of old frames from paintings, he said they came from a hotel? Anyway they are pretty cool and would probably go well in the SatMkt display plans.

cards from moo.com

Received my new cards (see above) last week and I love them. They are fantastically professional-looking, matte finish, great color, good heavyweight cardstock. They're really nice and really affordable, too. You should make some of your own! Plus, they fit (in two stacks) in the business card holder Amber gave me so that is perfect. I think I might start sticking some under some windshield wipers of cool cars I see.

new inventory @ SCRAP

Last weekend we also made a trip to SCRAP. I love SCRAP and I don't go there enough because if I did I would be swimming in random craft supplies that were parts of future unknown projects. And I don't want to get divorced. But!! I was able to score some great things that can be incorporated into a booth/display/tent/thing. Out of two big canvas postal carts full of interior decorator fabrics, leftovers, I grabbed these. Acrylic and polyester, so: easy to wash, no ironing, durable. A plastic grocery bag full for $3. Yup.

not 100% accurate color, but close

In addition: maybe about 80 (I didn't count) 12"x12" swatches--corduroy, polyester, etc. of complementary patterns that I can sew together (with batting) to make awesome potholders. With hex washers on the corner to hang them. For SatMkt! I'll post some photos once I make them, that will be better. Also, I'm waiting for some thread I bought on ebay---metallics.

I'm going to go read. I'm trying to finish Planet Simpson. I need to get it back to the library, pay my fines (an embarrassing amount, but not as much as my husbands'!) and check out some new material. My new Sun Magazine came in the mail yesterday and I read it every chance I got today...walking down the sidewalk... at lunch... on the MAX. I was nearly crushed under an SUV as I stepped out into the crosswalk (with the WALK signal) and I would have been squished with the Sun Magazine in my hand. And Keith would have asked the EMTs if they kept it when they scraped me off the asphalt and he'd read it while they patched me up in the ER. It's good stuff.

Out of last month's issue, there was a great interview with investigative journalist Greg Palast. And, of course, Readers Write (Too Close for Comfort), is my favorite feature. Keith likes the editor's Notebook a lot. Go check this stuff out and you might fall in love.
One of the other real attractions to this magazine: no ads.
Seriously.
No.
Advertisements.

No, really.

Technology: Pro and Con

Pro: internet music
I'm totally loving having an mp3 player that can hold all the music I can stuff in it. There's so much music on the internet. Wilco playing live on NPR, for instance. See, how can you go wrong? You can't. Oh sure there's a lot of bad music out there. But it's easier to avoid on the internet. With radio you don't get to choose what you hear and you end up listening to the same 4 Led Zeppelin songs and that one by ZZ Top.

Con: food you have to actually, like, cook
It's a horrible truth. We are crippled without a microwave. When I tried to heat up something to eat the other night and the door wouldn't shut I started to panic a little. But Keith, he's the man, suggested unplugging it and plugging it back in. This is the fail-safe Dummies Guide to Electronics: How to Reset Your Appliance. I heard a Click. And then the door shut tight. But the microwave she was on her last leg. My dinner went, unwarmed, into the refrigerator under plastic wrap. Thinking quickly, like steely-eyed beasts faced with a food shortage, we made a mental list of what we could eat...out of the toaster. Waffles, english muffin, toast.........

This presents a new challenge for us. Do we replace it? Even with one from a thrift store... we have to dump ours. For a maybe-fixable door problem? So I went a-hunting on the internets (at work, this new job it's not so bad) and as soon as I read "discharge the capacitor" my brain shut down and I assumed it was out of our hands. Keith isn't so sure. He gets itchy at projects like this.

More Yay! than Unh!

Unh! Broken toe as a result of trying to give Keith a hug. I don't know if he's worth it. I taped it to its neighbor toe. Still feeling crippled, though.

Yay! Zompire Undead Movie Festival with our friend Patricio. Some excellent short films, then The Lost Boys (we missed the first part to go to Sam's Billiards, see below), then more shorts.

30 year old Chilean metalhead Patricio
single, or as he says, "Free"

My favorite short film was "Recently Deceased." Watch the trailer here.

Jim doesn’t know how he died or why he’s back from the dead. He does know that he needs to water the plants, take out the trash, and figure out what the missing piece of his to-do-list says before he rots away or his killer kills him again.

It was actually really funny. A sense of humor is important when dealing with the Undead.
See: Shaun of the Dead.

We left before it was over and went out the front doors of the theater to see our bus waiting at the light across the street. Awesome timing. Home, out with the dogs, asleep by 2!

on our way to The Zompire Film Festival
waiting on the #12 bus
this is on E. Burnside looking west

Yay! a new vegan treat--cheese sauce. Not so much a cheese sauce as a cheese-like sauce. But delicious. Here it is featured on a focaccia bread pizza with veggie pepperonis and sausage. Mmmmm.

Yay! We made it to Crane Taking Down Day! We watched the Civic grow up and get a shell and even innards. Then we watched this other building (yellow) go up, all 5 stories. Hoping all the while that we would be home on the day they were ready to dismantle the crane. Because look at that thing, it's enormous.
What happened was: a bigger crane. Kind of a letdown. But still interesting. First some guys crawled up to the top of the crane and loosened all of the bolts or whatever was holding the thing together. (We could hear them with their pneumatic-ratchet-things.) Then this Monster Crane was parked between the Civic and PGE Park and they started lifting it piece by piece. They started Friday night and finished Saturday.

dueling cranes

Unh! Stamps going up AGAIN! I'm always complaining when stamps go up. Why not just round up to a dollar each and give us a 5 year break. With rates expected to go up again this year, they trick you into thinking that Forever Stamps will save you. I don't like their gimmicks. So I buy X amount of dollars of stamps and then either you don't end up using them after all or the USPS goes belly up and then you're SOL. "The agency is in a "death spiral" with increasing rates causing declining volume." Eek!

I had a confusing time with (not) buying stamps Saturday and Keith was getting annoyed at me. So I took a panorama while he was yawning. Then I realize I forgot my bus pass at home, so we had to walk back and get it and then wait for the bus again.

Yay! It looks like we will be moving sooner--like next month. Our Vietnamese neighbor has to be out by the 9th, so then they will paint and do all that. Then we can move in! No more Burnside noise, cooler, a little outdoor space, a change of scenery, new decorating opportunities. So exciting, yes. We were almost swayed into looking at one on the 4th floor on the opposite side of the building from us that we were told has fantastic views. Mt. Hood, the city, all of that. But there's another couple on that hall with 2 dogs and that's just asking for trouble. So we'll stick with our gut and take the 2nd floor apartment. I really like moving. Especially when it's 2 floors down with an elevator. Keith predicts we can move in half a day.

Yay! Loving my new mp3 player, all 6GB. I have put 80% of our music on it, plus friends' podcasts, and other internet radio and it's not full yet. Like that guy on Monty Python who eats and eats and eats: Mr. Creosote.

And now for something completely different.

There are five Iraqis in a boat in the middle of the ocean. Right in the middle of their boat is a huge spike with barbs all around it and razor edges. The Iraqis don't like it being there, but they don't dare remove it because getting near it is very dangerous and, besides, it is kind of holding the boat together.

Forty Americans pull up alongside in a much bigger, better equipped boat, and they see the spike and the predicament the Iraqis are in. Partly because they think the spike is dangerous to the Iraqis, and partly on the theory that it could be dangerous to other boats, they decide they must remove the spike. Five Americans jump in and swiftly knock out the spike, because despite it being dangerous, they have excellent spike-removal tools.

To read the rest of this Thinly Veiled Allegory, click here.

Dogs, you are ON Notice!

Let it be known, and I have, that recently there have been some unacceptable behaviors that we need to discuss. And by discuss I mean: LISTEN UP.

Your contributions to the organization are numerous and valuable. However, sometimes a certain disregard toward certain undergarments of a certain member of uppermanagement threatens to disrupt this mostly-harmonious vibe we have going on. I know you will claim in your defense that it is simply your nature that requires you to devour my undies, chewing, endorphins, blah blah blah. However, this is nothing I have ever seen on Mutual of Omaha/Jeff Corwin/Jack Hannah. Dogs do not stalk underwear in the wild.

Please, for the common good, I have to demand that you please stay out of the laundry. (And the trash! I don't need a contact lens case stabbing the arch of my foot any time before it's Turn On The Light Time (after 5:00a). I don't need light to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Unless I am concerned about Bouncing Bettys.)

Apparently this is a common issue (the eating of the garments) with your kind. When I Google "dog eat underwear," there are 1,220,000 results. Frankly, that' s no excuse! You must adhere to the stated rules of this organization if you see yourselves here long-term. Lazlo, you've been onboard longer than Mia and you certainly know what is expected of you in this relationship. Please take seriously your responsibility to be a good model for Mia. She grew up running the streets of New Orleans, for Todd's sake!

Me, having to clean up your puke right now--probably because you ate my underwear!-- I don't consider that courteous at all. Oh, I see, pieces of the kitchen rug, too. Well, I guess that clears up that.

Let's see a change in attitude around here, team. Come on, we're better than this!
I don't want to have this conversation again. Savvy?

News Hounds

More photos from Kansas.com

One thing I don't miss is TV. Anything that's worth seeing is on the internet, or I'm too cheap to pay for it anyway (ie HBO/Sopranos). Keith and I were glued to the news this weekend. I woke up and read that a KS town was demolished by a tornado. But tornados happen there often. Then we saw photos and read more reports of the damage.

"The National Weather Service classified the tornado as an F-5, the highest category on its scale. The weather service said it had wind estimated at 205 mph, and carved a track 1.7 miles wide and 22 miles long." ~Boston.com

Keith, of course, has more ties to the town; it isn't far from his hometown. We've driven through there every time we've traveled from KC to Sublette and back. And it will certainly look different the next time we are through.

Me, my weekend was amazing compared to that. I got to stay indoors when I wanted to, go out when I wanted to, and go grocery shopping and watch movies. I didn't have to hide in a cellar and listen to an F-5 tornado obliterate my home.

From McSweeney's Internet Tendency:

What People Said Tornadoes Sounded Like Before the Invention of
the Freight Train (in Reverse Chronological Order).

Steam locomotives

Horse-drawn carriages

Roman chariots

Horses

Really heavy men jogging

Brontosauruses

Tornadoes

Also:

In Kansas, the governor said the state's response was limited by the shifting of emergency equipment, such as tents, trucks and semitrailers, to the war in Iraq.

"Not having the National Guard equipment, which used to be positioned in various parts of the state, to bring in immediately is really going to handicap this effort to rebuild," she said.

Weekend Update

West Burnside
waiting on the bus
9:30p Friday

The Bagdad on Hawthorne, home of the Midnight Movie

(actually the eleven o'clock movie)

waiting on the bus to go home
1:25a Saturday

vegan breakfast!
waffles, sausages,
potatoes, toasted roll
carb fest 2007!
9:30a Saturday

new bag, bday gift from my seester!

Let's Go!
Getting our grocery on @ WinCo in Beaverton.
3:45-5:00p

$101 later:
lots of produce and bulk items
some healthy snack items for work
so I don't turn into a cubicle veal

and tonight's sunset started out like this

Brought to you by The Power of Myth

El Sleezo Patron: Hello, sailor, buy me a drink?
Kermit: Well, you see, I'm not a sailor, I'm a frog.
El Sleezo Patron: Oh, cut the small talk and buy me a drink.
Kermit: I don't even know you.
El Sleezo Tough: Hey. Did you make a move with my girl?
Kermit: No, sir.
El Sleezo Patron: He did too. He touched me.
El Sleezo Tough: Ugh. Wash up, you'll get warts.
Kermit: That's a myth.
El Sleezo Tough: Yeah, but she's my "myth"!
Kermit: No, no, myth, myth!
Myth: Yeth?

That's the best myth joke there is. Muppets, so funny.

Team Blankenship just finished up the 3-disc Bill Moyers interview with Joseph Campbell, "Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth." Six hour-long segments each with a different theme, but the overall theme being that myths (including religions) are a manifestation of the life energy that is in all of us, that we're seeking a way to explain what can't be explained... The old Everything is One schtick. When he's talking about these things---the hero myth, creation stories, sacrifice and bliss, romantic love, eternity--it all seems to make sense. And of course when he talked about following your bliss, I was locked in. He says,

"if you do follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in your field of bliss, and they open doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be."

And I really feel that has been happening in my life lately. I've met some random, multi-talented people who not only have the potential to help this come together for me, but they are just plain nice people. Friends. The more energy I put into it, the more I get out of it. If I make a point to invest in it, it will work. Saturday market here I come.

And I can't do anything nearly as well without Keith. He's Research &Development. I'm The Closer. He's also a super awesome ok cheerleader. See:

Spartan cheerleaders

Drugs help, too.

pill freud by Jason Mecier

This week I turned 28. My 28th year was by far the hardest yet and at times I didn't know if I would make it. I learned a lot about myself, and I accepted some things about my role in the universe, plus I have a great husband who was the only rational person here for a while. I am very lucky.

Keith was 28 when we met, so what advice does he have for a 28 year old?
(Inappropriate response.)

Tonight is another installation of the Midnight Movie. This week is The Big Lebowski!

Walter & The Dude

You know what this means: Disco Nap!! (sleeping when ya got something goin' later on that you need to get ready for)

Stay put.

Ah, the weekend, how I love thee.

Laid down to take a nap and it's been raining the whole time. The trip to our friends' house for dinner may involve raingear/provisions. And I need to make some cookies!

My first week at work wrapped up smoothly--one more week of "training" and then we get our very own cubicle corners. Hooray. Or something. By Friday I was so low on clothes (been a laundry drought 'round these parts) that I wore the skirt I got at the bins--and it turned out to be one of the most comfortable things I own! I could totally be a Pentacostal! har


Last week our Vietnamese neighbor (who set off the fire alarm with the incense in the hallway--found out his name is Austin) asked Keith to help him move some things this weekend. Keith ended up coming back from the guy's apartment to get me.... We are seriously considering checking into moving into his apartment when he moves back to Vietnam in October. His apartment was laid out differently than ours: the bedroom is bigger with 2! full closets, more windows (that face into the center of the building, not noisy ol' Burnside!) and best of all: a small patio. Now, not really a patio. Just you can straddle the window to climb out into an area that is like an atrium with no roof... plants, hammock!, etc. out there. A good place to sit outside and talk in the summer. And basically private. Right now an older black woman lives on the other side, but I don't see her crawling out the window to get out there. Also, hopefully cheaper rent. He said he pays $100/month less than we do. Moving down two floors instead of across town, maybe cheaper rent, these things might help us save up more/quicker for the move.

A couple of hours after we'd helped him carry huge brass incense burners and other brass stuff downstairs (in the elevator) we were sleeping when I heard a knock on the door. It was Austin. He brought us a package of Vietnamese sausages and a Vietnamese broom to thank us for helping him.

_____________
Keith just told me we're supposed to be at our friends' @ 7! That leaves me no time to make cookies! Grrrr...

I have a crush on my new job.

(I'm just going to call it Initech to keep things simple and to keep myself from getting Dooced.)

Really, pretty good benefits. In addition medical/dental/vision/life insurance, sick and vacation time, and all of those standards I haven't had in so long, I get: to pick my own schedule (weekends off!), various discounts (Costco, car rental, Dell, Microsoft, etc.), paid time off for perfect attendance (4 hrs a month)...

Plus, in the cafeteria/breakroom/lounge: a pool table, foosball, 2 pinball machines and a Ms. Pacman ($.50), 2 XBoxi, cable TV, internet (for personal email, etc.).

Casual dress code: Chacos, jeans and Tshirts oh my.

30 min on the MAX + a 5-10 min walk on either end.

One of the downsides: no photos. [Insert sad face.] Cameras, cell phones, text messaging, all banned. All of the other things above, though, pretty much outweigh not being able to get work pics. Also a downside: cubicle--4 to a box, each of us facing a corner. I'm thinking of making a sign for my area that says Travis "Cue" Bickle. Do you think anyone will get it? Also, I am going to print out a poster (Rasterbator) of Mia & Lazlo. Yay, I love decorating. (not really)

Also, I can change departments every 6 mos. This, I am not so sure about. There is at least one other department I would want to work for (Adobe Tech Support), but over there you have to bid for your preferred shift and that would mean working a weekend day likely. The pro to that department is that you can borrow software (including PhotoShop, InDesign, Illustrator, DreamWeaver, etc.) and install them on your home computer. !! Might be worth working on the weekend for 6 months and then transfer back.

So my new job is: reviewing internet ads. Advertisers pay to have their ads come up in the "sponsored sites" areas...



We have to check each ad, make sure there are no misspellings, grammatical errors, that the links are good, that there is no "objectionable" content. Etc. So yeah: surfing the internet all day and keeping track of it in a spreadsheet. All while listening to whatever I want on my mp3 player... What a great job. Can you see why I have a crush on it?

PLUS: I have seen more diversity at Initech than I've seen in all of Portland so far. There is even a transgendered person in my training group. A great variety of minorities, people with disabilities, people of all sizes and ages. It seems like a pretty good place to work.

Saturday Adventure

As happens quite often on Team Blankenship, we had to break for lunch and reconfigure our plans after several hitches in our get-alongs threatened to derail the whole day.

"If we're backin' up, it's just to get a running start..." said Willie Nelson.

I'd planned to go press the flesh at the Expo Center. The plan was: print out some postcards/photos to hand out to people at the swap meet if their work was out of the ordinary or would make good photos. So then I would trade them: I get the photos for my portfolio and they would get a free CD of photos of their stuff. Good way to build up samples, etc. Get references. Et cetera.

But, long story short: after several trips to Walgreens, resending files and printing one at a time, we decided to just bag it and have the photos printed for tomorrow morning. Do the expo center early and get some photocards handed out. Then meet with the guys about the Sunday Art Mart booth in the afternoon.

So we fended off a nearly fatal attack of falling blood sugar by heading to lunch @ nearby Taco Del Mar.

way too much food; what was I thinking??

And we had until 3:30 on our bus transfers, so we decided to slum it and go to City Liquidators. This is down by where Keith works, old rail warehouse district. Pretty cool stuff. So I'd never been there before, but I will definitely be going back! Here's just a sampling of things we put on our Wish List for Our House and other assorted oddities...

Keith outside City Liquidators

Walk/Don't Walk sign, Motion Picture like in a Chinese restaurant, $5 muppet chairs
Want, Hilarious/Maybe, No

huge Color sign, diorama, old timey fridge
so wanted but not for sale, weird, definitely must have

Keith is saying, "Take the #$%&* picture because there's people coming and my pants have a huge hole in the crotch." And me laughing. huge old timey camera, old store displays
hahaha, want but impractical, and no

mailboxes, maniquix, and a lot of cool mirrors everywhere
want even though it's impractical, never need one, eventually

Then we swung by the skatepark under the Burnside Bridge.


Then we walked over Burnside Bridge.
In this photo there's at least 3 other bridges.

from the bridge, looking south:

a really nice day even though it's overcast

Stopped to check out the Saturday market.

Rode the MAX home.
The end.

Paraskavedekatriaphobia

The Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute estimates that more than 17 million people are affected by a fear of this day. Seriously, look it up. However, the 13th day of the month is slightly more likely to be on a Friday than on any other day of the week. So those people are maybe a little paranoid. Nothing bad enough to be burned into my memory has ever happened to me on a Friday The 13th. But there's hope for the future: The asteroid (99942) Apophis will make its close encounter on Friday, April 13, 2029 (impact probability estimated at 1 in 45,000)! Mark your calendars, paraskavedekatriaphobics!

Today is technically my last day unemployed (this time around) because we don't count the weekend. New job starts Monday, 7am. Ugh. Which means getting on the MAX around 6ish. Eek! I think the pups are going to be a little disappointed when I'm not here to take them out mid-day...

I was wondering what happened to the corner of that rug!

I'm perfecting my vegan no-bake dark chocolate toasted coconut cookies. Basically, it's the same recipe the rest of you would eat, but with vegan margarine.

I get to try them out on the public in a couple weeks when we go to a housewarming party for some friends. I'm expecting to win over some carnivores.

The Fan Van was cruising the neighborhood a bit ago. Baseball season opens tonight @ PGE Park. [Hearing the bullhorn reminded me of Mexico--- the vendors drive around with bullhorns announcing whatever they sell: water, produce, gas (propane).]

Larry Lightbulb & the Fan Van

The Portland Beavers vs. The Fresno Grizzlies. In the tradition of betting on the teams' mascots, I have to go against the hometown-ers and say Grizzlies are definitely going to whup some Beaver tail. I mean, what can Beavers do? Slap you with the tail is about it. Ooohh, maybe bite; they have those super sharp teeth. But you'd have to get close enough to one for it to bite you. And if you're a Grizzly and you're that close, you've already won.

Also, big doin's this weekend with the Portland Swap Meet, "the largest auto parts swap meet on the west coast with approximately 4,200 vendor stalls and over 50,000 shoppers." I'm going to print some postcard-size adverts to handout/drop off. I don't know that I will get anything out of it, but it won't hurt.

I also answered another ad on craigslist and met a former curator who gives advice in exchange for art. He called me yesterday and wanted to know if I was interested in meeting a friend of his and possibly going halvsies on a booth with him at the Sunday Art Mart, which is open July-October. So we're meeting this Sunday @ Stumptown to discuss. We'll see where that goes... I feel like I have a lot of momentum with this right now, so I'm just going with it.

Sunday

playing under the freeway

I'm turning into a tin foil head.

Keith and I are on the Global Warming Watch Committee of W. Burnside. (We are the only 2 members.) We get disturbing news updates telling us things that make us think of bomb shelters, learning to grow your own food, and a dismantled federal government. After Katrina (etc.), do you trust the federal government to take care of you? I don't.

Meanwhile, in the United States of ADHD, where we are too arrogant to think that we should curb any of our desires, even if it means helping the world (us!) last a little longer. After all, this is the land of Manifest Destiny, take all you can while the gettin's good. Where we (the Royal We) still operate under the principle that God told Adam he had dominion over all of the animals. Uh, humans are late-comers to the animal kingdom; we do not rule the earth---the Earth rules us. We are about to find this out. How well are humans going to adapt to global warming?

Last week a report was released, predicting the future basically, but hey they're scientists, so they probably have the best guess of any of us. "The 1,572-page report, finished...on Friday, was prepared by more than 200 scientists, and a 21-page summary was endorsed by officials from more than 120 countries, including the United States." (The Ledger from here on out). "...the panel predicted widening droughts in southern Europe and the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, the American Southwest and Mexico, and flooding that could imperil low-lying islands and the crowded river deltas of southern Asia."

So much for moving to Mexico.

"Essentially there’s going to be a mass extinction within the next 100 years unless climate change is limited,” added Dr. Hare, a visiting scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.

**the gaping void**

Back again?

Keith and I have been discussing revising our List of Demands. We've been thinking about time, how no one is guaranteed a certain amount of it, and that if being happy is proportionately related to being around people you love, maybe Kamiah deserves a second look on our Map of Potential Places to Relocate.

There are pro's and con's, but in Keith's Dream World he would have coffee with Gary on the front porch in the morning. Every morning. Well, maybe 5 out of 7 mornings.

My parents want to know if I will be happy in Kamiah. I told them I have never lived in Kamiah and been a happy person. Therefore I can't be objective about a future event where the circumstances will be different (post-Rx, etc.)... I hope so. I hope that I could overlook the trivial annoyances of small town life and learn to love the benefits of small town life. I think that's a delicate balance. And I think that if Keith and I could incorporate certain things into our List of Demands that would make small town life easier, it would be quite do-able. I'm thinking self-employment...

I think one of the perks, though, of living in a small town like Kamiah is reading the Law Enforcement Dispatch Log in the local paper, excerpted here (bolds and italics mine):

Tuesday, March 27
9:16 – Winchester man fears he may have been scammed after giving a down payment for an adjustable bed that is priced at $5,287.

18:25 – Nezperce woman wants to file a report against a neighbor who, every time she is in her kitchen, he steps into his carport, grabs himself inappropriately then attempts to gratify himself. This has been going on for about three months and she would like something done about it.

Wednesday, March 28
11:07 – Tree fallers report the discovery of 19 old sticks of dynamite while working on a project near the Greer Grade Road.

Thursday, March 29
21:09 – Kamiah man reports that his next-door neighbors have been riding their ATVs around his house all day long and he is tired of it.

Saturday, March 30
11:25 – Report of suspicious and possibly violent man seen standing behind some dumpsters in Craigmont, drinking a cup of coffee and, when he bent over, his pants fell down.

Tuesday, March 27
19:31 – Report of a suspected prowler after a Kamiah woman returned home to discover a guy on her property. She wants an officer to come over and shine a light on him.

Come on, doesn't that sound like a fun place to live??

Recovery Saturday

I think it was after 4 am when I last looked at PGE's clock, right before sleep.



Made it to the Bagdad last night, a little late...my fault for apparently turning off the alarm although I don't remember doing that. They sell advance tickets to people with tables, so luckily Jon (friend from Keith's work) and his friends Jesse & Katie were there already and added us to their tab, so we were sure to get in...there was talk of the movie selling out, but it didn't seem as full as Office Space's showing last month. Then we found Patricio (another co-worker of Keith's, from Chile) inside. He made a point of telling Keith that he was there at TEN.

We finally all got seats inside and proceeded to laugh, clap, holler our way through the first 1/3 of the movie. Then it was time for the second reel and the whole theater was confused (not at first, though) when the image on the screen was upside down and running backwards. It kept running like that for about 10 minutes. (Keith said he's only ever seen that in a theater one other time...) Then they put on the house lights and said the movie was canceled because the reel was wrapped wrong. Not a popular announcement. There were many people there under varying degrees of mind-altering substances (alcohol included) and these good people were expecting another good hour or so to come around, so now they are told that it's over and they have to go outside and deal with the world. Keith said the kid sitting down on the bench by the men's bathroom rocking back and forth softly while stroking his own legs from thigh to calf was probably not going to fare well out on the streets.

But Jon, Patricio, Keith, Jesse, Katie and I stood out in the lobby and talked about when we should get together next. Just met Jesse & Katie tonight and they were inviting us to their house for dinner. Good people. Also childfree. Also with 2 dogs. Just moved here from PA, so they are much enjoying the spring weather here. It's nice to meet people, especially other couples, that are easy to talk to, on the same level, etc...

Keith is out getting orange juice. It's looking like an überlazy weekend. We might take a bus for our Sunday adventure tomorrow. Our Buzznet friend Steve just moved over to the St. Johns area and said it's super nice. Wildlife, etc. And, of course, the St. Johns Bridge.

St. Johns is named in honor of settler James John, who laid out the original eight block town site in 1865. He reportedly was a recluse, which inspired the population to address him as "Saint" John. (An alternate version of the story says that he never visited the local brothel, and that's why he was called "Saint" John.) The site eventually became a rival to other Willamette River townsites vying to become the Head of Navigation on the upper Willamette. St. Johns was originally a separate incorporated city, annexed by Portland in 1915. (Wikipedia)

Also, another 72-hour photo project is underway. I got a late start, but it's ON!

Hunter Thompson Friday

Ether: “It makes you behave like the village drunkard in some early Irish novel. Total loss of all basic motor skills. Blurred vision, no balance, numb tongue… The mind recoils in horror. Unable to communicate with the spinal column. Which is interesting because you can actually watch yourself behaving in this terrible way, but you can‘t control it.” --Fear & Loathing



Get out your ether rags boys and girls, it's time to see Fear & Loathing again! Tonight it will be viewed at the Bagdad Theater at midnight. Be prepared for bad craziness.

Some thoughts to get out

set to music...

powered by ODEO
(a catchy new song I heard on the Hype Machine and have been singing ever since)


Had an interview today; was hired on the spot. Start a week from Monday. Boring cubicle jockey job proofreading internet ads. Hmm. FT with benefits. Okay. So I'm really wanting to get a little spy cam like Keith's so I can subvertphoto my new workplace. I get a badge. I think that's a bad thing. Pros: no new clothes to go out and buy (casual dress, that's me), I don't have to talk to people on the phone, it's on the MAX line, 2 days off in a row for sure, still get to go to the coast in June. Cons: probably not Sat/Sun off (Keith thinks this is a Deal Breaker with his current employer and he may soon be job-transient), 45+or- minute commute (click to see route--check out this new Google Maps feature) 2x daily (also a pro--reading time!). Today the fare checkers were on the MAX. Luckily I had bought an all-day'er. Dude almost wrote this kid a $100 ticket for no proof of fare. Harsh!

...waiting for the MAX...

Keith's shucking the nicotine monkey and therefore has sometimes been unpleasant to live with these past few days. These moments are rare and far between (see: sarcasm), but they are unpredictable and hilarious because whatever it is that he gets mad about seems insignificant to me. But he's serious about it. I volunteered to make him an acupuncture appt. And then I told him he should get rolf'ed. He said maybe.

civic progress (from the backside)

We need a maid.

I'm wondering why I get less done when I'm not employed. I have a LIST of things to do today to help the weekend roll smooth.

laundrydishesrecyclingsortingscrubbingsweeping lalala

Picking up some PT on call work at a greeting card co. in NW.
This is the outside.


This is the inside.


It's not a coal mine, but I wouldn't want to do it forever. It's tedious/zen work while listening to music and (mostly) getting sunshined on. I'm not complaining. Right around half an hour away no matter what mode of transport: foot, bike, bus. 2 are free. 1 costs.

Also finishing up the photos from last week.
Here's a couple more from what's done.

Concert Recap

What? Huh? Keith said, "...it was good. But they were too loud. Does this means I'm getting old?" I said, "We never remember to bring earplugs." (Not as bad as Black Flag in Lawrence, KS, though...paid for that for days.)

If you haven't been following along, last night was the much-anticipated Son Volt concert at the Crystal Ballroom (a mere 10-minute walk away). If you don't know Son Volt, "[their] music ranges from quiet folk/country ballads reminiscent of Bob Dylan's John Wesley Harding to barhouse rockers in the spirit of Neil Young with Crazy Horse" (wikipedia). We got turned on to them in Missoula (Keith thinks it was Ted Lowe) and we don't know a lot of their songs (made obvious last night), but we love their music in general (anything with Jay Farrar), so we knew it would be good.

We'd also never been to the Crystal Ballroom, so we didn't know if there were seats (not by the sound of the name--ballroom) or just a dance floor. But we scored probably the best seats in the house. In the (geezer) balcony we found seats that had easy-out access and a great view of the stage. The opening band, Magnolia Electric Co., had to play while the sound board girl worked on her technique, which was frustrating. But by the 4th song or so they were beginning to sound really good. The lead singer had a voice modulation problem and some of the words were harsher than others, but... I guess that's why you have an opening band.

Son Volt came on at 10p (we got there at 8p). They played one song right after another, sometimes not even completely stopping before starting again. I think Jay Farrar changed guitars at least once a song. They had a lot of energy, all the way to the end. Third show into the tour, I guess that's a good time to see any band. The crowd was so mixed: high school kids (all ages show) to people with gray hair ponytails to frat boys to accountant-types.

So here's a video from the concert--one of my favorite songs of theirs, Windfall.

Switching it over to AM
Searching for a truer sound
Can't recall the call letters
Steel guitar and settle down
Catching an all-night station somewhere in Louisiana
It sounds like 1963, but for now it sounds like heaven
May the wind take your troubles away
May the wind take your troubles away
Both feet on the floor, two hands on the wheel,
May the wind take your troubles away.

And some photos.



balcony seats

balcony view

Bikes!

Keith and I went to the Easyriders Bike Show Tour this morning.

But first we went to Walgreens to pick up my photos and only 25% of them came out; the rest were cropped all wrong. Apparently you have to go in and "edit" each one; i.e. tell the computer what not to crop. So, $5 down the drain. But I did get about 10 good ones and wrote my contact info on the back and dropped them off @ Kelly's booth. Wandered around trying to find Walgreen's (I knew the general direction!) and then it started raining and my pics hadn't turned out and I was bummed and my new (used) shoes/socks/feet/bones were soaked. But the show was pretty cool, if overpriced ($16 ea!). And I got a lot of contacts...Keith picked up business cards for me.

Kelly seemed to like the photos I did have (see below). I should have them all done early this week.

So here's some random photos from the bike show. Enjoy!

You know what I love?

Naps with the dogs.

The S spoon, with Mia curled up in front of me and Lazlo curled up behind my legs. That's Ideal Nap Posture. (Yesterday was my first nap since being unemployed again; I consider that fortitude---one week!) Also, time outside with the dogs is so much better for my mental health than getting sucked into the Internet Vortex. Really!

some office building for rent on 19th?

We've (I've) been getting lucky that when we've gone to Couch Park (see below) the past few mornings it's been empty. The school next to it must have all day rotating recess; there's always anklebiters running around. But these two jokers are only interested in two things: wrestling and sticks. Park conditions are still fairly muddy but it no longer stinks like manure.

Someone's been stocking the park with sticks.

Couch Park: pretty but muddy.

I've been giving the dogs carrots for treats lately. (Better for them (and cheaper) than rawhide. That stuff is nasty!) Lazlo's a hard sell; he spits out the chopped up ones and only eats them whole. Mia eats anything. She gets her rocket shoes on when the dinner bell rings.

Tonight Keith and I are going to SE Portland. I answered a craigslist ad to photograph a guy's art--made out of motorcycle parts. Should be pretty cool, the guy sounds nice. He and his 25-yr old son have been building a motorcycle and he wants some photos of it, too. It'll be interesting to see what we get. Yay for freelancing!

Doing the dishes sucks. Yes. It does. Ok fine, I'll do them. Gah!

National On-Hold Month

more March observances

Keith and I are debating whether or not to go to the Peace Rally. Yeah, we love peace and all. But we woke up late. And we still have to take the dogs out for a good long walk. And get dressed. Finishing our coffee now... I think we are going.

Encounters with Nature!!
A pigeon almost flew in our apartment today! I saw him swooping down like he was coming in for a landing on the table. Then he pulled up short and landed on the windowsill. He was shimmery and purple and green. I reached for my camera but he took off. Not that I have any great love of pigeons. It was just unexpected.
My sister showed me these books (Pigeon...) when we went to Powell's. Yesterday Keith and I went to our first Powell's event---we went to see Frank Warren speak. He is the guy who started Post Secret. He started it as a small art project. He had 3000 postcards printed, and handed them out telling people to write their secrets on them and mail them to him. He only got about 100 postcards back from that batch, but it has just grown since. He's received over 100,000 so far.

"Each secret can be a regret, hope, funny experience, unseen kindness, fantasy, belief, fear, betrayal, erotic desire, feeling, confession, or childhood humiliation. Reveal anything - as long as it is true and you have never shared it with anyone before."

He said he feels that this project has become a community and that he is just the facilitator. I've become a little addicted to it. I check it (the website) every Sunday; that's when it gets updated. The themes each week vary, but there is always a good mix: funny, sad, shocking, familiar, sweet, mean. (Post Secret fans were also able to save the National Suicide Hotline by donating over $30,000.) They handed out postcards during the talk so Keith and I can choose to send in our secrets. Will we share them with each other? Frank Warren said that his mom called the (subsequently publised) books "diabolical" (she's from Kansas) and his dad shared a secret with him that prompted a conversation that they never would have had otherwise. He said, "That's the balance to art. Make sure it only deeply offends one parent."............Monday night is M*A*S*H star Mike Farrell.

We watched Zodiac last nigh---used our last pair of free movie tix. It was good. I brought some chocolate with me and about 2/3 of the movie I spent concentrating on how thirsty I was so I wasn't able to fully enjoy the movie. All because of chocolate. It drug out a little bit there at the end. And I didn't know how it ended in real life so I was pretty wrapped up in it (despite ravenous thirst.) Mark Ruffalo was much better than I expected. Looked a little but like Oliver Platt, though. I still don't like Chloe Sevigny. But I do like Brian Cox a lot. He was good in this, too.

Well, Keith's getting dressed. I guess that's my cue.

Rockin' the 5-day weekend...

Spending my mornings trolling Buzznet, Craigslist: Jobs, and other friends' blogs, plus local and national and world news. Listening to Mark & Brian; they're doing this ridiculous Springer-style Three Strangers & A Wedding. Downloading podcasts from DJTomdog. Hearing jackhammers etc @ The Civic across the street.

Thinking about all the people on their way to work right now. Suckers! Keith reminded me I was unemployed this time last year. I thought it felt familiar.

sunrise looking E down Burnside St.
15/03/2007
7:59:50-8:03:28

sunrise on the West Hills
15/03/2007
8:03:34-08:03:45

kb's

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Photo Dump

Keith's been snapping sneaky photos with his minicam left and right but not posting any so I'm posting a few of my favorites.

at the culdesac where the dogs play

Also, time for another thrilling installation of PanoramaRama.
Cases in point:

gearing up for St. Patrick's Day downtown
Pious legend credits Patrick with banishing snakes from the island, though post-glacial Ireland never actually had snakes; one suggestion is that snakes referred to the serpent symbolism of the Druids of that time and place, as shown for instance on coins minted in Gaul, or that it could have referred to beliefs such as Pelagianism, symbolized as “serpents”. Legend also credits Patrick with teaching the Irish about the concept of the Trinity by showing people the shamrock, a 3-leaved clover, using it to highlight the Christian belief of 'three divine persons in the one God'.
~Wikipedia~

U.S. Customs Building
couldn't find out what the heck it is

Old Meier & Frank building
one of my favorites

KB & Lazlo @ the North Park Blocks
check out Lazlomorph

Keith on Couch
notice the Keithmorph here

Getting ready for a shift

I started training my replacement--Nancy-- last week. I should be finishing up around Wednesday or so. Nothing new lined up for me yet. But that's ok. I have a phone interview on Monday: working for Netflix customer service: the kind of job I said I absolutely didn't want. This one pays well, has full benefits, and a Netflix subscription (which, seriously, would be cool as we just rejoined and updated our queue--why can't I learn to spell that word?? from when we lived in Grangeville). I could pay back some debts and start ratholing money for our List of Demands. So it's sell my soul for X amount of time in order to be happier later. Assuming that being debt-free and having some savings will result in happiness. Yet, if I am to believe what I'm reading right now, I'm overestimating my future happiness. A false dilemma. So I try not to overanalyze what jobs are available. All jobs are temporary. Everything is temporary.

So, I anticipate having a little gap between jobs, but Keith says, Hopefully not too long.

Took a good long walk today and found a nursery at the end of the road. (Just like all the other photos, click to see a larger size. Ok, that's the last time I'm going to say that. Really.)


Saturday consisted of: letting Keith sleep in and waking up nicely, eating toast & OJ, taking the dogs for aforementioned good long walk, watching the director's commentary of Donnie Darko (which makes me feel even stupider but also illuminates a lot of things) while eating lunch, taking a nap, waking up again, getting coffee, internets...well that's as far as I got. This means Sunday will be Limpie el Domingo.

I'll never look at rabbits the same again.
That's Frank and Donnie Darko.
Eeeeeeeeeeek.

Keith is shaking things up at work. And rec'd a gift cert to Starbucks for his stellar performance. I will tell him to get on here and write something. He has tons to say, I know.

Things are blooming here. Now with DST earlier, we'll be out and about in the daytime more. Bonus. Sun therapy.

We've been in the Apocalyptic Mood lately, fretting about the end of the world. FOX News is reporting on it, The New York Times, for Todd's sake even The Bend Weekly is cashing in on this global warming thing. Keith says we should move closer to my parents (Almost Heaven? just kidding) and learn to grow our own food. I think we should get a car that runs on water!

My sister's boyfriend is always telling her that he thinks the world will end in their lifetime.
Mia could teach us a thing or two about survival.
If only she could talk.

Yesterday I had a great experience: I had an eye exam. I had been wearing the same monthly disposable contacts since one year ago. So I have an allergic reaction under one of my eyelids. That makes sense.

So I'm test driving some daily disposables. They are more flimsy, so harder to put in, but they feel better, cleaner. Still scratchy, but better. Dr. Chan said one year in dailies and then we'll go from there. Also, I have large optical nerves. I wonder what evolutionary purpose that does (or doesn't) serve. Advantage? or Disadvantage?

Planning a trip to the coast just Keith and I (and the pups). And one in June for family. The weekend after our (6th) anniversary. (This May I am turning the same age Keith was when I met him. I think this is really weird in a space time continuum kind of way.) Maybe we will stop and see the Largest Sitka spruce in the United States again, before it's gone.

And some video of the dogs playing at the culdesac last weekend. This was after a 20+ block walk there and they played hard like this for about 20 minutes before our 20+ block walk home. Mia's a little rocket. And she likes to bite Lazlo's face.

A Job I Want: (seriously)

Job Description
The oldest and largest “first-call” service in Oregon, we specialize in the professional, dignified, and compassionate removal and transportation of decedents from place of death to a funeral home or other agency. Candidates must be available for 12-hour shifts and be capable of handling multiple detail-oriented tasks (check) oten times while dealing with grieving and highly upset family members (I could handle this). Applicants must have an excellent driving record (pretty good), must be able to lift heavy loads repeatedly (yes), and must wear professional business attire (I know where I can get some). Knowledgeable staff will train candidates for employment; there is no experience necessary for the position. Applicants should expect to deal with a multitude of difficult situations, including scenes that might be considered horrific to the general public (um, hmmm), with dignity and respect at all times. Only serious applicants should apply (I am serious).


Skill Requirements
Ideal applicant is a responsible (pretty much) and mature (generally speaking) high school graduate (I'll see your HS diploma and raise you a B.A.) with an excellent driving record, professional appearance, and ability to lift heavy loads routinely and safely. We are looking for someone with an affinity for detail, likes helping people (yes), and has exceptional report-writing skills (yes!). Good penmanship is a definite plus (oh yes). You need to be neat (ok), very organized (can be), confidential (what? I don't know what you're talking about...), and know your way around town (or at a minimum be able to show proficiency at map-reading) (check and check). In addition, you must possess superior inter-personal skills as you will be with a partner for extended periods of time (yes), and will be expected to work with different personnel on a daily basis. Applicants must also be willing to operate independently at times (sure), and can also be expected to make long trips transporting decedents (I'll play the radio really loud). Knowledge of, or familiarity with, cots (gurneys) is preferred (no), and experience being around deceased (some) is helpful, but neither is required. Experience with driving vans, especially backing up vans is also a plus (my newly acquired skill---not only can I back it up, I can parallel park Andy's van!).

I *heart* Craigslist.

Better than las piedras bola...

Sunday Adventure
Reminiscent of our twilight-zone-hike-that-never-ends to the elusive las piedras bola in Mexico last year, this morning Keith and I set off with the dogs to track down the Gleall Castle. The sun was out and it was great to get out and breathe some dry air. Dry out the gills.

I Google Mapped the address and got a general idea of where it is, but Google Maps is lacking a seriously useful feature: topography! We wandered up up up the West Hils and we could see it from Barbur Blvd., but we weren't sure which road to take to get there. Well, it was another good workout for the dogs...2+ hours, uphill and back. It turns out that we were only about 100 yards below it; if we would have kept going on the switchbacks we would have run into it.

But we had some great opportunities to bust out the PanoRama!
Click on the photos below for the larger sizes.




And now the dogs are TIRED.

Drying out

We got a break in the rain today after about 4 days of constant precipitation. Yesterday's mist rain was worse than regular rain---it gets in all the nooks and crannies, down to your underwear. The poor dogs were getting cabin fever. We walked them up to Wallace Park and then over to the culdesac where they played like maniacs (that's a video link) for 20 minutes and then we headed back home. A good 2-hour walk. It's really springing up around here. I guess we have the rain to thank for that. Things are really going to go nuts once the sun comes out.

We cleaned (most of) the apartment (plus the dog walk) and took a short nap and woke up to go see Hurricane on the Bayou @ the OMNIMAX. It's worth all those capital letters. We forgot that it was the dome screen. I've never seen a bad IMAX; they're all amazing. This was good in the IMAX way, flying over the Louisiana marshes, underwater with alligators, etc. But the message was sad and skewed. The whole time I was thinking about Mia and how scary that must have been for her and wondering where she stayed and what she saw and if she was alone or with other dogs... And my friend Amber, getting her MSW, was pissed that it basically glossed over the fact of all of the poor people that were left behind before Katrina hit. It was more environmentally-focused than humanitarian-. Anyway, impressive and exciting entertainment, but the topic got mixed reviews.

We're starting our new budget/savings that is one leg of our List of Demands. One of the largest black holes for our disposable income is Hollywood Video. We average maybe about $20/week there. Crap!! So we re-joined Netflix and pay $17.99/month and hopefully that save us money. Well, it will definitely save us money.

Tomorrow: laundry, clean the bathroom, menu planning/grocery shopping for the week, make CDs/pick photos for open art calls. Maybe a doughnut??

Our Anthem

Saul Williams--List of Demands
CLICK TO PLAY
It's catchy!

I'm so efficient. It's almost like I'm an adult.

Taxes filed. Refunds will arrive post-haste.
FAFSA filed.

For 4 colleges because I just want to see sumthin. I'm possibly possibly, if everything lines up (oh and if I am accepted--important), attending the Oregon College of Art & Craft this fall. They have a 2-year book arts program that makes my mouth water. Okay, how could a program with both book and arts in it not be great? Come on.

...aside...

One of the other colleges I listed on the FAFSA was Reed. It's just for laughs, though, because even if we could afford a $35,000/year!! tuition bill, I would be too intimidated by the other students:

Reed is a highly selective four-year college with a reputation for delivering a strong academic experience, for attracting a highly intellectual student body, and for generating an unusually high percentage of graduates who go on to earn Doctoral degrees. --Wikipedia

Still, I dream. In another life. That life where I earn my Ph.D.
Plus, their mascot is the griffin!!!! That's reason enough.

the majestic griffin

...back to regular programming...

So, maybe I can turn this book arts certificate (I don't need another degree and accompanying loans; see: Reed) into a way to escape the formal economy.
Photo skillz + book making skillz = ?

This plan, aka Operation Not Becoming a Working Stiff, has been the focus of our daydreaming lately. Both of us hating our jobs and all. We've concocted a 5-year plan henceforth referred to as Our List of Demands. Included on our LoD agenda is finding a new place to live, a new way to pay for things that require money, and a way to visit Mexico as often as possible. This is the More Mature & Responsible Plan which, Mom and Dad will be glad to hear, replaced our first plan of Total Expatriation.

The ease of going to Mexico often is (mostly) directly related to the distance we have to travel to get there. Plus we've come to a consensus (it takes two yes votes) that we need to live somewhere with more sunshine. I'm really liking the atmosphere of Portland (the city where everyone has a side project: the bartender-by-night/ artist-by-day schtick) and the proximity of nature-like settings, and the things that come with most larger cities as related to dietary concerns (Whole Paycheck, etc.), but the rain is the rain on our parade. It's not wrist-slitting bad (maybe because I'm medicated), but it does get old. And cold. And wet. And the dogs aren't big fans either.

So: more sunshine, closer to Mexico. We're not California types, despite being liberal vegetarian/vegan environmentalists---wow, why aren't we moving to CA?? No, no CA. I instantly thought of Arizona but I haven't been there other than our trip through Phoenix et al on our way down to Mexico last year and that was Less Than Pleasant to say the least. So I posted a plea for inspiration on the city-data forum and rec'd a list of places to check out including Flagstaff, AZ (eh), Bisbee, AZ (eh), Show Low, AZ (eh), and Silver City, NM (hmmm). The search continues.

On the job front, my replacement will begin training in the next couple of weeks so we're looking at March... Keith just got benefits @ his job and he's not digging it all that much, but I told him to at least take advantage of the insurance he's paying for. When I called and found out that my refill Rx was only going to be $10 because of the insurance Keith reminded me that we pay about $300/month to insure us both, so really--not saving money. But if he gets in there and racks up the dental/medical/acupuncture services we could make some progress. I think I will have to take the initiative and call some Dr.s for him. I do the legwork around here; he's The Closer.

On our dogwalk yesterday we saw this great car parked on the street north of Couch Park. Its rustiness was like a siren song.

It also reminded us of Fozzie's Studebaker (a bear in his natural habitat).

Weekend Wrap Up

My sister came to visit this weekend...

outside of our building
CLICK TO VIEW LARGE

waiting for the bus; going to The Bins!!
CLICK TO VIEW LARGE

The panorama wasn't used as much as promised. But I did get a couple good ones. (see above)

We did Voodoo Doughnut twice. Laughing Planet once (mmmmm burritos!). And The Bins!!!! Amanda is converted. She got about 30 small toys for her treasure chest in her classroom + 8 or 9 shirts for less than $10 all together. We hiked up to Washington Park/The Rose Garden. Another panorama opportunity. (see below)

a view of the city from Washington Park
CLICK TO VIEW LARGE

Lazlo and Mia got good workouts both days. But they're still wrassling around like eeeeediots.

The elevator is broken. Again. And there was a fire alarm at midnight last night. The ambiguously gay Asian? man on the second floor had an altar of fruit m candles, and incense burning an a table blocking his door in the hallway under the fire sprinkler. We've had a handful of false alarms since we've moved in and never a real fire. So many that we will likely burn to a crisp one night thinking it's another false alarm. This morning there a container of salt on either side of his doorway. And rice all over the main entry way downstairs.

Probably this rice that he left in the hallway in December.

Amanda's off back to Coeur d'Alene tomorrow morning and Keith and I go back to the salt mines.

We bought tickets for Son Volt at the very cozy Crystal Ballroom!!!!! So excited. 3/28

Other people cause me stress.

We decided to take the dogs on a good looooooong walk today. So we headed up to Forest Park/Lower Macleay Park. It's another large park (in addition to Washington Park) that is within walking distance and we'd never been there. It's at the end of Thurman, and with the blocks being named in alphabetic order Thurman-Burnside=18 blocks. Plus we serpentined. So it was even farther than that.

But I didn't know it's Forest Park's most used entrance. Everyone and their off leash dogs were there. Sprinkle in a few out of control toddlers and 2 dashes of (on leash) pit bull and you get Stress Soup. Mia is doing excellent with her Leave It training and only acted up a couple of times. It was close quarters on the trail and both of our dogs were the best behaved on the trail. Hello, people: Keep Your Dog On Leash means EVERYONE. It stresses our dogs out when they have to be on leash around dogs that aren't.

It was nice to be out in nature. We kind of took it for granite in Missoula where you could be in relative solitude within a few minutes. Here in the city it's not so easy.

We could hear water running and check out all the green lush plants. It was storybook Pacific Northwest up there. But it got a little congested so we turned around.

To the little boy running down the trail flapping your arms and then stopping right in front of our dogs: You look like a duck when you do that. Lazlo loves to chase ducks. If he could catch one he would probably break its neck. So don't do that. Okay, thanks.

Portland's Forest Park is the largest forested city park
in the United States covering 5,000 acres.

Our friend Bob (who we met in Mexico one year ago) just stopped by. He and his daughter Starlight are getting ready to spend 5 weeks in San Blas. We are so so jealous. He always shows up unannounced and he's always welcome.

Keith sent our old digital camera with Starlight to take photos. It's on its last leg, so if it makes it back GREAT, in not No Big Deal.

So our afternoon schedule was thrown a little off course. If we hurry we can still get a nap in.
Vámonos!

I missed Groundhog Day.

I thought it was at the end of February. Dang.

^^CLICK^^

The weather's been so nice lately. But today it is raining.

My sister found out she is going to Washington, D.C. for spring break. Chaperoning a bunch of "leadership" kids in middle school. Nerds. She gets a free trip, all the tours, etc. So exciting. It's through this People to People program that Eisenhower created. I said, "Like the Interstates." (The Google.) She said, "Um, sure." Hilarious. (Sidenote: Today I found out that Portland's Sister City is Guadalajara and that Sister Cities International was another Eisenhower project.)

We were supposed to get the Jeep ready to sell this weekend. But now it's raining. I'm not getting my backside wet in the rain vaccuuming out a car.

Can you believe how much canned air is???? $7+/can! Come on, it's AIR. We're cleaning our desktop. And will soon be buying more memory so we can use the webcam. In its current state we get drops in processing due to meltdown. That or sun flares.

~~~~Some Neat Photos I've Seen Lately~~~~

::· Beniliam ·::, Hidden Exposures, tbone805

massona, puja

There was a pit bull walk this afternoon. Don't know how many people are going to walk down the Eastbank Esplanade in the rain. Not us. We dropped out of the group, but we have an open invitation to participate in it. I'm not really that comfortable with it. After we had the biting incident(s) with Mia we had some very harsh comments from them. I don't need that.

AM/PM

this morning's sunrise--Click for full size

this evening's sunset--Click for full size

Still looking for a job.
Craigslist = tedium ad nauseam.

Saw Pan's Labyrith. It was good.
Found 2 free movie tickets on the ground Saturday. Now we have 4 freebies rat-holed.
Children of Men is supposed to be good.

We're on movie-renting hiatus.
It got out of hand there for a bit.
We're reeled back in now.

Slothy McSloths didn't get much done this weekend.

I asked.

I received several military recruitment offers after posting my resume on craigslist.

Please read.

From: "Velasco, Alejandro X SFC USAREC"
To:
Subject: I don't want to live for the weekend.
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 12:30:45 -0500

Hello
My name is SFC Velasco I am a recruiter with the U.S. Army
I would like to offer you a job as a soldier in the Army for full or
part-time positions. Yes this would require enlistment into the U.S. Army as
a soldier. We are not looking for people to work as civilians for the Army
we are looking for people ages 17 to 39 to serve their country as a soldier.
You do not need to have any prior training or experience; the U.S. Army will
pay you while you are being trained to perform your job. The U.S. Army
offers guarantied training of choice in over 150 different positions you can
enlist for.

Some of the most in demand jobs include: Health care specialist, pharmacy specialist, laboratory specialist, dental specialist, radiology specialist, respiratory specialist, Aircraft electrician, Air traffic control operator, Aircraft hydraulic repair, Crane operator, Heavy construction equipment operator, Interior electrician, Telecommunications operator, Paralegal, military police, Psychological operations, Administrative specialist, Human recourse specialist, Public affairs specialist, Journalist, Metal worker, machinist, light wheel mechanic, ammunition specialist, transportation management and human intelligence collector,

The U.S. Army is looking for people in all of the following career management fields:
Medical field, Flight, Paralegal, Aircraft maintenance, Psychological operations, Financial management, Special forces, Signal operations, Electronic maintenance and calibration, Mechanical maintenance, military intelligence, Engineering, Armor, Transportation, Adjutant General, Public affairs, Religious support, Military police, Electronic warfare, Ammunition,
Supply, Chemical, Field artillery, Infantry, Air defense artillery, Civil affairs, Band,

Benefits include
Up to $40,000 cash sign up bonus
Up to $70,000 for college
100% medical, dental and vision with zero co-pay ever
100% medical for your family with zero co-pay ever
30 days vacation with pay each year
Full time pay
Contact SFC Velasco
Email Alejandro.velasco@usarec.army.mil
Toll free 877 842 8583

-----Original Message-----
From: The Blankenships [mailto:letsgogetsometacos@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 7:59 PM
To: Velasco, Alejandro X SFC USAREC
Subject: RE: I don't want to live for the weekend.

Does that include life insurance? How much would my husband get if I am
killed?
Thanks,
April Blankenship



From: "Velasco, Alejandro X SFC USAREC"
To: "The Blankenships"
Subject: RE: I don't want to live for the weekend.
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2007 14:26:13 -0500

Yes we do Have life insurance. The beneficiary receives $400,000.00
If you are interested in taling with me more in depth over the Phone give me
a call

Alex velasco 877 842 8583

Last night

Senior Limpia doppelganger, on the bus, answering his annoying cell phone ring:
Hey, what's up?

Me:
Not much, just listening to some jerk on his cell phone.

Fan Dance by Dirty Martini

It was really loud, so make sure your volume is turned down before you play it.
But have it loud enough to hear the music, it's great.

Panorama-Rama!

I've wanted a Horizon for several years now. But I can't really justify shelling out $250-400+ for a camera that is not all that practical, especially since I have a problem with film, developing, etc.

Those crazy Russians...

So, I don't know why I've suddenly remembered the AutoStitch program and now I have panorama fever.

Now you have to click on these to see the larger versions and really appreciate the panoramaness.

this afternoon around 2pm, while on a dog walk

just a few minutes ago, leaning out the window
and trying not to SPLAT on the sidewalk

This is opening up a whole new world of possibilities for me, I tell ya. Be prepared to be inundated with panoramas. I've never heard of anyone complain of too much panorama. Perhaps I will test that.

Now if I can get somewhere to take a really great 360 panorama, I can try making a polar panorama! Oh yes.

Photography by

Jeremy Birn
© 2001-2002

Sunday Adventure! Aventura de el Domingo!

Keith said we should start doing mock magazine covers for our weekend adventure. Sounds time consuming.

But intriguing. I do need to beef up my PhotoShop chops. I've decided to manifest a creative job for myself. (I am quitting my personal asst job.) So far I've applied for only creative stuff--photog intern, typesetting, glass blowing shop helper... I can work for less if it means I actually want to get up and go to work. That's a benefit that does not translate to wages. So I've checked out some books on how to be better at what I feel I am moderately okay at: turning photographs into something more. I plan on incorporating some more complex PhotoShop tricks, design elements, etc. Plus textures. Anyway, as I look for a creative job, I am also brainstorming how to make money freelancing. A lot of good ideas out there. A lot of coffee shops wanting to show art. Etc.

Today's adventure:
We found a scanner on craigslist for only $60 and it does slides, too (not in violation of The Compact since it's used). Keith has a bunch of slides from his dad's childhood, traveling around the country (i.e. Disneyland, CA Redwoods, etc.)

The guy with the scanner was in Sellwood. He tried to sell us a futon, too, which we could have used. But it would have been hard to fit on the bus.

We took a couple of buses. We are really getting some good orientation around different parts of town.

Click on this for a larger version. Really worth it.

Tried a panorama on the fly while waiting for the 70. Used AutoStitch to put it together. Surprisingly simple. This was made with 5 photos I took leaning up against the bus stop sign for a stable POV.

Made some more paper and got some more Year in Review letters out. It's still January, right?

Keith made a score over by a market near us. This Sid & Nancy poster. Classic. Nothing like livening up a Portland winter by hanging two heroin junky co-dependents on your wall. Something to aspire to.

If I had $105,000

Does anyone want to float me a loan? I would like to buy this place near San Blas.

You know how to contact me. There are two houses; we could work something out.

Thinking HARD

Oregon Convention Center

Keith came home from the laundromat to find me poisoned by bathroom cleaner fumes (no kidding! that stuff is toxic) and suggested we go "out." My brain was atrophying and I tried to argue, but he dragged me out and as soon as I hit the cold fresh air I was feeling better. Hmm...

We threw caution to the wind and hopped on the MAX for Parts Unknown.
Or Gresham, whichever came first.
We saw a lot of new country and started planning on checking suburbs for rentals next spring/summer. (Yes, ugh, the suburbs. For the doggies. They need a yard. But also: usually cheaper.)

In between listening to random incoherent coversations (never a shortage of those on the MAX), I picked up a Tribune and read a review for a restaurant that had veggie sliders. We'd been talking about where/what to eat for about 45 minutes and this place sounded good so I talked Keith into adventuring some more and taking the Yellow Line up Interstate Ave.

We got off a couple of stops too early, but walking was nice, in the sun! And I got to take some photos I would have otherwise missed. Finally made it up to Pause (Alberta St., not Albina St.!)

Click on these for the HUMONGOUS versions.

Anyway, sliders went down realllll nice. Vegetarian for Keith (he gave up meat 01/01), vegan for me. Best hand-cut fries EVER. Salt! Also, the coke was a good washer-downer. 4 thumbs up.

We're in the midst of a Simpsons marathon. Watched Season 5, now on Season 6. These are good ones, smart. For those of you who don't live in Portland, you may not know that many of the characters are named with Portland names. Street names, etc. Ned Flanders, Montgomery Burns (from Montgomery Park), Revered Lovejoy, Sideshow Bob Terwilliger! Look at a map, I'm serious.

Last night laying in bed I was going to that place just before you fall asleep and I told Keith to manifest something in the mail this week.
I said (sarcastically), "You know, pray."
He said, "I don't pray. I just think real hard."

Dear U.S. Citizens,

from Graffiti Friday

What's it going to take?
Would you send your child to Iraq?
What makes someone else's child expendable?
Can we afford to let this happen again?

We can't afford to let this happen now:
$357,000,000,000 and counting for this war. That's three hundred seventy-five BILLION dollars.
In fact, the tab grows by at least $200 million each and every day.
Instead, we could have hired 6,192,177 additional public school teachers for one year.
Instead, we could have provided 17,321,474 students four-year scholarships at public universities. (So they wouldn't have to join the military...)

More than 50,000 Iraqis killed. Citizens.
Nearly that many of our military personnel wounded.
3,000+ soldiers killed in action to date. This does not account for the ones who die once they are home.

Americans authorized to torture other people.
"You don't defeat terrorism by becoming a terrorist." (Vic Blazier, Iraq war veteran)
Continued desecration of rights we are guaranteed. Like freedom from search and seizure! (Get your That's okay. I wasn't using my civil liberties anyway. sticker now.)

Wait, why are we there again?
WMDs? Osama who? Saddam is dead.
It's the Crude, Dude.
"...the idea that the U.S. invaded Iraq to secure this strategically important and highly valuable resource is strangely taboo in the mainstream media. It is practically shouted down whenever mentioned. Instead, we are asked to believe that the U.S. invaded Iraq for a variety of reasons, none of which has anything whatsoever to do with a desire to gain control over the most lucrative untapped oilfield on earth — even as dwindling worldwide reserves threaten to turn competition for crude into the major international battle of the future."

What do the insurgents say about Bush's new plan to send more troops?
Iraqi insurgents last night threatened to send President Bush’s 22,000 new troops home in body bags as details emerged of the new Baghdad crackdown at the core of his “surge” strategy.

Who runs this country?

One questionably-qualified, illegally-elected man?

A man who is "... ignoring the results of the November elections, rejecting the central thrust of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group and flouting the advice of some of his own generals, as well as Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki of Iraq.” (Al-Maliki may not even tolerate the presence of more US troops for long, although he spared Bush the humiliation this week of saying so outright.)

Or all of The People?
People, that's us.

2006 in photos

Since we've started documenting our lives in photographs, it's been interesting to go back through them and remember things I would have otherwise forgotten.

While we had many memorable experiences in 2006, sometimes it's the small beauties that we overlook when we scan our memories. For that, I am thankful for my camera.

Click for a larger size

Things to do in 2007

*I reserve the right to modify this list at any time.

(waiting for the bus, on the way to The Bins!)

• Get back to a strict vegan diet.
• Do not buy anything new (underwear/socks, food, and health supplies exempted).
• Spend less time on the internet.
• Check out fewer books from the library so I actually get them read before they're (over)due.
• Sell the Jeep and rely soley on public transportation (car rental for longer trips--seeing family, etc.)
• Take more photos (if this is even possible); carry my camera every day.
• New ink, of course.

(Keith cracks himself up)

Ativan, STAT!

What's worse than going to the mall? I'll give you a second to think about that.

I've never been a big fan of the American shopping mall. Growing up I lived more than 75 miles from the nearest structure posing as a shopping mall and I never ever had that feeling in my stomach compelling me to go and look at shiny things I don't need. I didn't cry myself to sleep thinking that my life would be complete if only I could saunter around in a building with 100s of of other people, buying things mass-produced in sweatshops and sold at ridiculously inflated or rediculously discounted prices. (Alright, so I didn't think about consumerism that way when I was 12 or 13, but I still really never got mall fever like the media tells us all teenagers do.) I still usually have to be hogtied and forced to buy new clothes. And Goodwill is my clothing store of choice (newest score: NorthFace fleece jacket, $6.99!! MSRP, $99!!).

Today my boss Andy didn't have any special plans for the afternoon. I called his mom to see what Zack (Andy's visiting 10 yr old nephew) wanted to do. She said "go to the mall and spend the money his dad sent him." Oh great, that sounds so awesome. see: sarcasm. So I get to take a 26 year old in a wheelchair and a 10 yr old with money burning a hole in his pocket to the most outrageous mall environment in the Portland metro area: Washington Square Mall. I've spoken of this devil before. Let's just say that the week after xmas, when all of the stores are trying to sell off the rest of their inventory AND school is out so the mall is overrun with emo teenagers, this is not the best time to go to the mall. If there's ever a good time. I kept seeing flashes of donkeys on Pleasure Island.

I couldn't decide if I was going to have a panic attack or a psychotic break. My day peaked just before I got out of bed, so this was right in line with the rest. Did you know that most stores in the mall aren't ADA accesible? What a shocker. Not to mention at any moment, through no fault of his own, Andy's arms and hands might whip out of control and crash a display of NASCAR calendars (not hypothetically). So Andy and I spend most of our time waiting, waiting, waiting. Waiting for a 10 year old to decide what he wants in Zumiez, what he wants in Spencer's, what he wants in Hot Topic. I was miserable, if you haven't figured that out.

[Let me also mention that Andy's mom has this week off. So instead of taking her nephew and son shopping, she sics me on it. Yeah, I'm getting paid for it, but that doesn't make it less tortureful. Tortureful: as in full of torture.]

Maybe I'm getting old. (No, I know I'm getting old. When Keith told me Katie was getting a Go Kart for xmas, I didn't respond, "Cool!" I said, "Oh, that sounds dangerous.")

Maybe it's that Keith and I are joining The Compact (stated mission: 1) to go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socioeconomic impacts of U.S. consumer culture, to resist global corporatism, and to support local businesses, farms, etc. -- a step, we hope, inherits the revolutionary impulse of the Mayflower Compact; 2) to reduce clutter and waste in our homes, as in trash Compact-er; 3) to simplify our lives, as in Calm-pact) January 1st. I just don't buy into the mall craze. It's a scam. Sure I buy stuff I don't need. But I generally don't go to a place where that's their specific goal...to get you to buy things you don't need. It's all distraction and shiny things.

Gearing up for joining The Compact, Keith and I have been making a list of things we should buy before January 1st. After 1/1 we will restrict our purchases to the following categories: Socks/Underwear, Food/Health/Toiletries, Safety. Everything else we will get 2nd hand through thrift stores, craigslist, bartering with friends and family, etc. including clothing, furniture, books (which I don't really buy anymore thanks to a kickass library system), electronics, even gifts for other people. Luckily we have SCRAP and tons of other resources because this is a recycling kind of town. It just seems to us that so many people live disposable lives. We buy things new without thinking. We throw things away without thinking. Where does all of it go? Landfills. Especially electronic items. Tens of millions? A lot. So we are doing what we can to reduce the waste the United States produces. It's catching on.

Trash trivia:

• The average American throws away 3.5 pounds of trash per day.
• To give you an idea of how much trash we generate here in the United States, imagine a hole the size of a football field, including the end zones. If we bury all of the trash we produce in just one year, that hole would be 100 miles deep!
• Every year we make enough plastic film to shrink-wrap the state of Texas.

I was a little embarrassed carrying it down the street, after people had seen it sitting on the sidewalk out in the rain overnight, but Keith and I brough this treasure up to the apartment. He tried to play it off as a Christmas gift to me. Ha. But now I have somewhere to put my clothes. A little drying out, wiping down, good as new.

at 6:28 I've been up for almost 3 hours

(one of the side effects of Wellbutrin being I can't go back to sleep once I've been fully awake)

Lazlo was moaning and standing on Keith at 3:45 am so we took the doggies for a very short walk. By the time I get dressed, put on my coat/shoes/(new) hat! and walk outside (under 30°), I'm awake. I laid in bed for 45 minutes thinking about: the holiday shopping we have left, pros/cons of selling the Jeep, making paper, taking a nap later, making gnocchi for xmas... So I decided to just get up. Time for some chocolate milk= Nesquik + Silk soy milk. We scored some great stuff @ the market (+ The Internets) to ship out as gifts next week...very exciting to give things you think people will actually like as opposed to Last Minute 7-11 Gifts. We're going back to the market today to finish up.

it was cold @ the market

Keith just stumbled out of the bedroom to complain that I didn't tell him I was getting up and he's been cramped up in the bed while Mia & Lazlo monopolize whatever space they can. They are sweet babies. Seriously, Keith and I think they are falling in love.

I feel that nap coming on. First nap of the day before 7am. That's a start of a Good Sunday.

We're s-h-o-pp-i-n-g, we're shopping

Tomorrow a.m. we head down to the Saturday market to begin holiday gift shopping. Which I am kinda, surprisingly, looking forward to. I would 100.000x more like to buy arty things from local folks in the open air than spend $$ at a germ-filled, kids-screaming, shoving, panting, confined supermall (Andy's Personal Mecca). With only 4 or 5 people to buy for, it should be fun and quick. Will need fuel from Voodoo Doughnuts to get us started.

Keith just sat down next to me with a spanish rice-black bean-corn-avacado-cheese-tapatio quesadilla. My mouth is waaaaaaaaatering. And I wasn't/am not even hongry.

I put the idea of becoming vehicle-free on the table for discussion this eve. Put pencil to paper and it makes sense. Getting the addiction out of our systems will be the challenge. I figure we can rent a car anytime we need to go to, say, Idaho. And take the bus/MAX to Coscto and take a cab home. Cost effectiveness is paramount. This proposition will be voted on by all non-canine family members in the near future. Canines love cars, and traveling in them. We shall not be swayed by their input.

Saw Charlotte's Web this afternoon with Andy. It was really good. Not Oscar material, but very good. The only thing I missed (from the animated version) was Templeton's song (Paul Lynde!) at the fair. The animal-animation was very believeable, not distracting. And a good cast of voices including Robert Redford. ? Better than Unaccompanied Minors, which I was forced to view earlier this week. (Lewis Black you are dead to me.)

the elevator warped his head!

Keith's co. xmas party was last night. Most enjoyable "company" xmas party I've attended in a while. Ten cool people having dinner at a good restaurant. I had butterbut squash ravioli (vegan, yo) and a greyhound. Mmm good. Good people, Keith works for.

We will surveeeeeeve.

(That's some Tony Clifton for ya. You're welcome.)

Keith and I made it home from Kansas and we're still recuperating from jet lag and lack of sleep and stress, but other than that we're good. We flew Frontier and got live Mapquest® updates of our flight progress in the seat back in front of us: speed, altitude, all of that (also 20+ channels of DirectTV for $5!). Watching the altitude drop as we were approaching the Denver airport, it was going down....6000'....5500'....then all of a sudden: BAM. We've landed. So I guess it's actual sea level, not the plane's altitude... Another reason they won't let me fly planes.

"Can't you just drop us off???"

We had reserved an economy car from Enterprise because when you're driving across Kansas and paying with credit, let's face it...we didn't want to be giving blood to buy groceries when we got back. But when we got there all they had left in the lot were ginormous SUVs. So we picked the one that we were told would get the best gas mileage, and I suppose that 17.5 miles/gallon is considered good gas mileage somewhere...no, I don't think it is. On the upside, gas is only $2.20 in the Midwest, so we saved about $45 there. Driving a 2007 Jeep is quite a bit different than driving the 1992 Jeep we have. (And about $30,000 more. Eeek.) Also, a big shoutout to Rockstar for keeping a girl going driving across flat, coma-inducing Kansas in the middle of the night, staving off white-line fever.

Mia and Lazlo didn't kill each other at boarding/doggie day care, so that was a relief. They had to share a kennel and we weren't sure how that would go. But apparently they are getting along just fine, even unsupervised at night. The people at Virginia Woof were super nice and said they were sad to see Mia and Lazlo go home. I'm sure they tell that to everyone, but still.

Kansas City Here We Come

Searching for music for the trip to the Midwest next week.

powered by ODEO

We know from experience that there's nothing that tempers the monotony of driving across Kansas in the winter like good music. My Buzznet peep DJMark has been kind enough to give us several of his playlists from a radio show he does in Santa Barbara called Night Shift at the Thrill Factory, so we have a great mix there. Also got some stuff from Music for Maniacs. And this some from Odeo. Like this:

powered by ODEO

I've been on a Radiohead kick lately. I'm a latecomer, but really getting into them. Especially Easy Star All-Stars reggae covers.

The Internet Hiatus didn't last long. Haven't been reading much. Developments around here have kept us preoccupied. Also doing this 72 hour project thing, which is going so-so. Both cameras had the wrong time/date stamp set so, um, yeah that's something I should have checked before I started!



Made a trip to Costco, bought some pants, tried them on (too big), lost the receipt, found the receipt, lost the receipt again. It may be in the Jeep but if not I'm stuck with (another pair of) pants I can't wear. Okay so why can't Costco have fitting rooms? Wouldn't that greatly decrease the amount of refunds/exchanges they have to process? Not to mention the Customer Annoyance Factor.

So instead of doing anything productive in preparation for the trip we're going to make, Keith is sorting slides and I'm interneting. Stalling. Something. It just feels like a day when you don't do anything and it's ok. We're existing in that world where time is wayyyyyyy slowed down and you know it will eventually catch up, like TiVo, but for now we're stuck.

Two freight trains going opposite directions

Walking two pit bulls is a challenge. I anticipated this would take some training (me and them). Tonight I had to take them both to the v-e-t. It's a close walk, so we headed out on foot. It was exhausting. It's like having, I imagine, two 3-year olds---one weighing 70#s and the other weighing 40#s---trying to rip you in half. No wonder my back is jacked. This week I can move without excrutiating pain; last week, not so much. We found out that Lazlo is the "picture of health," and Mia may have allergies. That's it---we're returning her!! No, they gave us some shampoo and spray to help her quit itching. And by gave I mean charged $280.

waiting for the dr.

Hallelujah it's the weekend. I have tomorrow off so I get a 3-dayer. If you need a good weekend song, and who doesn't, here it is. I'm going to try to do this project where you take a photo of whatever you are doing every thirty minutes for 3 days (Fri, Sat, Sun). I don't think I will last the whole time; I can barely remember to take my meds every day. But I will give it my best effort.

So I'm going to also try an internet hiatus. I have checked out 8 books from the library, I need to start our end-of-the-year-update cards, and of course Dog Tending. So I'm going to unplug. I don't know how long it will last before I start going into convulsions and having hallucinations.

We've traded rain for cold lately and I'm none too pleased. I'd rather have rain. I don't live in Montana anymore for a reason and that reason is that I'm cold-blooded. Just ask Keith.

taking the bus home, in a fog

CLICK ON IT ^^^^ FOR A READABLE SIZE. © Joe Sayers

papillon

So...today wasn't the best day. If you know me then you'll know what I'm sayin'. I did however have a moment of clarity. I was rolling a 2-wheeler of PW5500's (don't ask), from the warehouse into shipping and a butterfly landed on me. Now remember, it's 32° and snowing outside. This caused me to stop and contemplate...for about 15 seconds, anyway. WTF. I disregarded this almost as fast as it happened. My work day ended and home I went. We took the dogs for a walk and then I went to the store. On the way home I ran into "Cowboy". One of the local homeless dudes. We had a short chat, I gave him my gloves and $5. He said "God Bless". I didn't. I went home and started a load of laundry and walked into the trash room. There was the usual junk and a couple of board games. One of them was Rummikub. If you haven't played before then you should because it kicks ass. I took it upstairs to show April my score. She laughed, like she always does when I scavenge something from the "heap". She opened it and along with the game pieces there was a notepad outlined with insects. It is one of those pads with a magnet on the back so you can hang it on your frig. Written on the top piece of paper was this message. "To whom it may concern: if today an insect lands on you, then you'll know that this note is for you. The end." I have been incredibley lucky lately. I got to see my best friends, I got a new dog and everyday I get closer to the person I want to be. Thanks for reading. kb

Happy Thanksgiving

Things I am thankful for this year (in random order)

• my dogs!
• Wellbutrin ®
• rain gear
• oh yeah, Keith
• weekends off
• friends
  
• strawberry lime Jones soda
• public transportation
• voodoo doughnut
• my very supportive family

We're off to visit my family in Idaho. It's going to be a fun weekend involving pet wrangling (4 dogs, 5 cats), board games, gorging on food, making paper, celebrating a birthday (Happy 24th Amanda!), and much relaxing.

Meet Mia.

We went to the shelter today specifically to see Nadine. We met her, introduced her Lazlo, took them for a walk.

And then decided we should keep her.

She's a lover and plays well with Lazlo. They wrestled for the first hour or so we got home. Now she's sleeping (on his bed). I think we made a good decision.

And Nadine wasn't working for us, so we're changing it to Mia (as in Mrs. Mia Wallace).

Welcome to the family, Mia!!!!

Nadine?

Breed: Pit Bull Terrier Mix (dalmation pit mix)
Sex: Female
Age: 1 1/2 years
Weight: 35 lbs
You wont believe how far I have traveled, just to find a place to call home. I used to live in New Orleans but there are some bad things that happened there and a lot of us were left without a home or family. So I came all the way to Oregon in hopes of finding my lucky new guardians. My name is Nadine and I bet you can’t wait to meet me, I know I can’t wait to meet you. I am a sweet, happy, active girl who is just the perfect size with beautiful super short white and black coat. I am already housebroken and crate trained too. I love to play with other dogs and will be fine around respectful children but I need a home without those pesky felines! Why is such a smart, cute, dainty, lovely little girl like me still looking for place to call home? I sure as heck don’t know! Come get me out a here and I’ll let you pamper and spoil me rotten! 1-2 years old-35lbs. My adoption fee is $160 and includes; current shots, microchip, spay , 5 week Training Class, free veterinary exam ,1 month pet health insurance, leash/collar, food sample, toy & Treat packet.

I turn my camera on

Keith's group shot @ Vegetarian House

There was a break in the rain today and the sun was out. It was very nice. Lazlo and I went to the dog park and he slid around like a linebacker on a muddy field chasing his Frisbee. He didn't get exercise beyond 2 short walks yesterday because of the weather. So he got 2 park visits today which is like winning the dog lottery. However, muddy park = muddy bed. Keith yells at me, "Get your (my??) dog off the bed." And I ripped my yoga pants on the table!

dog park mud hole, a favorite attraction/water dish

My friend since about 1st grade, Autumn (top photo), was in town so we walked (distance grossly miscalculated!) to Vegetarian House for some outstanding food. We had ham* fried rice, pork* fried rice, orange chicken*, and chicken* chow mein. And we each had 2 spring rolls and honestly, I could have eaten a dozen or more. Keep em comin. Also, their kung pao chicken* is fantastic, but also $10. (Worth it really.)

Correction: The cow will not being giving as much milk as possible. That is all.

And of course we walked by Voodoo Doughnut on the way home (breakfast...mmmm). Then Keith chastised me for giving money to a guy who handed me a note saying it was his 3rd day in town, from Memphis, and he would not "rob, rape, or kill" me and he couldn't talk because his mother tried to kill him when he was a baby. Keith thinks I am a sucker. I think that a) what you give out comes back plus b) if was conning me he deserves something for coming up with a very good plot line. The Street Kids downtown hold signs that say "Just want to get drunk," etc. I'd rather fund someone with real problems. Yeah, I just wanna get drunk, too. Learn to support your own habits. That's what the rest of us do.

Yesterday I got paid to show Andy how to make paper. He was ecstatic. Tomorrow afternoon we are going to a craft store to buy more deckles. Another paper-making weekend.

everydayisagoodday everydayisagoodday everydayisagoodday everydayisagoodday

What happiness to wake, alive again,

Into this same grey world of winter rain!

Especially if it's a payday Friday and you only work a half day.
That's a good day.

These are from a couple of days ago (when it wasn't raining!).

Paper-making class went awesome and we are going back this weekend. After that we plan to buy a deckle and start our own little recycled paper sweatshop. If you get a card from us this year it will be on handmade-blood-and-sweat-infused recycled paper. We're all about the recycling this year. Went to SCRAP and loaded up with stuff. Total= $3.50!

Movie theme has shifted. We didn't stay on roads/interstates/byways long. Now we are on States. So far we have watched:

• My Own Private Idaho--I had never seen it, but it's Van Sant and since we are in Portland.... (he lives in Portland). But it's distracting to watch a movie that's filmed in a city you are familiar with because you're always trying to figure out where they are. [Same thing with Drugstore Cowboy. Only Keith and I walked by the Drugstore Cowboy house the other day---it's in our neighborhood! It's on the National Historic Register. And it's for sale.] I really didn't care for Keanu Reeves's character's actions at the end. But overall, good movie. Also starring the late great (fellow vegan) River Phoenix.
  
• Mississippi Mermaid--Catherine Deneuve plays a mail-order bride. Drama ensues. Best thing about this film is the scenery: Reunion Island. Someone on Buzznet actually lives there!
  

Next up (this weekend): North to Alaska and Nevada Smith. Oh yeah. You can't go wrong with some John Wayne and Steve McQueen. Seriously, you can't.

And Keith saw that Season 6 of The Sopranos was out on DVD so we ended up watching 3 hours of that last night. Once you start, you can't stop.

It's a good weekend for indoor activities, says the Weather Channel:
In addition to rain rain rain rain, WINDS COULD ALSO GUST TO AT LEAST 60 MPH .

How to Hear God's Voice Guaranteed Seminar

''My sheep hear My voice.'' John 10:27 It's not our guarantee It's God's Take your walk to the next level and experience breakthrough succes in every area of your life. Prayer is exciting, When God does most of the talking Ecclesiastes 5:2 Your life is changed,forever. $120.00 for Couples

No, Keith and I did not choose the above class after (not) much dilberation.

Instead we are going to a paper making class on Sunday! Yes, that's right. We are adding Paper Making to the managerie of skills that will sustain us via non-tradition employment hopefully for the rest of our lives. Our latest ideascheme has been some kind of food vendor trailer that would be pulled by a VW biodiesel bus to county fairs/concerts/car shows/drag races/carnivals/. We were (are) thinking a) vegan corn dogs b) sweet potato fries c) savory waffles with various fillers (like a sandwich/taco...Keith suggests the name Wafflewich) d)....