Sunday, June 29, 2008

I think I'll name him Deery


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Originally uploaded by dieselboi.
Yeah, when we get around wild animals, they get funny names like Deery, Elky, Squirrelman, Birdy, Wolfie etc. This lovely fella came and hung with us at Wallowa Lake in far eastern Oregon last weekend. Anna was in town and we were out there relaxing for a few days for our friend's wedding. Upon my return, I referred to it as a weekend of drunken debauchery. Not necessarily Anna and I, but....

Honestly, we had a blast. The trip started off a little stressful with Anna arriving late Friday night and the need to leave around 5:30am Saturday morning for what we were told would be a 7hr drive. It turned out to be only 6, so we arrived around noon only to find out they wouldn't let us check in to the cabin until 3. That sucked because we needed to change into wedding clothes and the wedding was @ 2pm. I hate you Wallowa Lake Resort - you have no compassion. When we asked if there was a place to change, they recommended the toilets at the state park. ugh. We planned on just driving out of the crowded zone to the woods when we came upon the hall that was hosting the reception. Luckily it was open and we were able to change and prep there in time for the wedding. Crisis averted.
The rest of the weekend was a blur for many. Terminal Gravity was the beer of choice along with plenty of other distractions. We spent a lot of time in the trees right by the lake which was stunningly relaxing. I loved spending time with Anna and our friends - even some new ones we met that weekend.
On the way home, we chatted about maybe looking into property we could call a vacation spot. I'm not sure I want something where all the families go with their gaggle of kids and SUVs, nor something that is 7hrs drive away. I'm thinking 150 miles from Portland would be the limit. Anyone got any ideas where I might find some cheap land?

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Walking home through SE Portland

Sorry for the last of photos on these entries. I'm usually out there snapping away when I walk. I just haven't the last few days. Not sure why. It may be that I am passing items I have already seen or snapped, so I just enjoy it in my mind's camera.
The last three nights have been a little blurry. I have been out with friends each and every evening. I got caught up with Tomas @ Roux. Had beers with John @ Green Dragon and cocktails with Meghann and Montia and friends at Bonfire in SE. Each time, I walked either too or from the location and experienced all that Portland had to offer. Last night was cool. It was about 11 and I was around 28th and SE Stark. Now that was a walk. Instead of staying on the main streets, I wandered through neighborhood and such. SE Portland is alive! Wow. And you know what? There are bikes everywhere. This city really needs to get its ass in gear and put up some more bike parking. At some of the bars, bikes are not even locked to anything, just to themselves because there isn't anything left to lock to. You can't get a kryptonite lock around a tree. I just feel that the city is thinking this may be a phase, but its not. I did see some new bike racks up by SouthPark downtown that they were installing. It will be cool when people go out to the symphony on their bikes and the Schnitz will be forced to accomodate them for the business.

We're doing a bike afternoon here in Portland. It started out as a couple of guys gonna bike and beer, but I think it may turn into something a little more. No naked riding, but I think we may have more fun than we think. I know I have been soo excited to get back on my bike and get out there. I even bought a new saddle for it.

Today's list of to do's first:
  • eat breakfast - done
  • drink iced coffee - in progress
  • put clean laundry away
  • clean up bedroom/bath
  • install new drip water system for garden pots
  • hit rebuilding center to get some lumber for pergola
  • work on cleaning up backyard for Anna's visit next week
  • have fun and enjoy the sun
I won't try and do all of that, but lists keep me from sitting in front of the TV. Have I told you I haven't watched much TV this week? Maybe 2 hrs. Kinda crazy.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

A social life....

Wow, it has now been a month since I left Bryn Mawr PA and Anna for the drive back to PDX. I'll say it right now- I miss her bunches. She's my best friend and my conversation partner. I'm glad we have all those rollover minutes because when she gets me on the phone, we don't stop talking. At the end of the conversation, my ear is all sweaty..ewwe.
Back in Portland, it seems to be an endless social activity train. Seriously. The day after I returned I went to a show and then the next evening was beers with a friend and then it was movie night and then another show and then beers with a friend and then a night out to a book reading and then...... you get the picture. I don't know if this is just the cyclical activity of live - everything happening at once - or if I am now just trying to find activities to keep me from being lonely. Heck, I loved sitting in the evening watching TV and I still haven't watched the last two episodes of LOST. Wow!
I have been walking. Not as much as I would like and my belly keeps telling me so. I'm no where near as out of shape as I think I am, but I know I could do better. Pete, my across America driving buddy, said he would take me rock climbing, but I had to prove I could handle it. Chris, a longtime friend is always looking for a running buddy. I want to do both those things. I just have to put my mind to it I guess. I have the time! :) See, that's what's weird. For the past 12 years, I had a schedule to keep. It was more subconcious than anything and it wasn't rigid, but it was a schedule. Now I realize I don't have that schedule anymore and it freaks me out. It's been a month of fun, now I should buckle down and accomplish something with all that free time. Heck, maybe I'll work on those 6pack abs I've been thinking about.....uh not.
So, check back often. I plan on writing more and more here. Oh, and go for a walk.