From yesterday's American Progress Report:
As the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches, the Brookings Institution has released a report examining the state of recovery and rebuilding in New Orleans. The findings paint a grim picture. While the demolition of old houses has progressed, new housing is lagging because "rent prices in the region have increased by 39 percent over the year and home sale prices have spiked in suburban parishes." Exacerbating the problem is the fact that those in search of housing are receiving little assistance from the federal government. Roughly 100,000 people have applied for the "Road Home" housing-aid program, but they still have not received government grants and may have to wait "more than two years before the last of the money is handed out." A laundry list of other problems remain. There is "a lack of public transportation, child-care services and hospitals." Gas and electricity are available only to "41 and 60 percent of the pre-Katrina customer base, respectively." Even with the loss of 190,000 workers, the unemployment level in New Orleans has reached 7.2 percent, "higher than last August." For the region's 278,000 workers who have been displaced by the storm, finding a job is proving even more difficult, with nearly one in four unemployed.
11 August 2006
Flashpackers: A New Generation of Travelers
A few representatives of BootsnAll are featured in this article about flashpackers from today's Oregonian. Of the folks interviewed, Sean and Donovan are co-workers of mine, and Brianne and C.J. are BootsnAll community members.
09 August 2006
Too Much Pizza
My mom's 19.5-year-old cat Bear, who'd been eating grass and had a blade stuck in her mouth like a hilliblly chewing on hay.
We spent this past Saturday night at my mom's house outside Corvallis; Chris was working at a nearby bike race on Sunday, so we just headed down there midday on Saturday. We got to her place in time to fire up the outdoor earth oven so Chris could make earth oven pizzas.
A view of the inside of the oven, pizza cooking; and Chris rotating a pie to get even heat distribution. Such an attentive chef.
There was only one hitch with the pizza-making... Last time Chris made pizza at my mom's, he made a ton of dough because he wasn't sure how they'd all turn out. He ended up "killing" a couple of them (let's call them sacrifices to the pizza gods) in the process of learning how long to cook them, etc. This time, he also made a ton of dough (he's not made pizzas down there enough to have it down to a science yet), but this time he didn't kill any of them. Between the three of us, by the time he was done, we had seven pizzas.
This isn't even all of them - we'd eaten two by this point, and there were some on another countertop, too. I never thought I'd say there was such a thing as too much pizza, but...
By the end of the cooking process, every time Chris would walk in the back door with another pizza tray, my mom and I would groan and say, "Oh, god, no more, please!" I've heard of death by chocolate cake before, but never death by pizza. We even tried driving one of them over to one of my mom's neighbors, but they weren't home. It would have been especially funny as she lives on a dead-end dirt road miles from the nearest pizza joint... "Pizza delivery!"
We did visit those neighbors the next day to tell them they'd missed out (we ended up bagging and freezing all the uneaten pizza), but it wasn't as funny.
My mom's neighbor's dog, outstanding in his field, waiting for someone to play.
This is an old water collection tank at the back of my mom's property, from the days when some of the previous owners got their water from the springs on the property. It's been unused for years, so my brother cut some holes in it (no, they weren't already there - would've been a very ineffective water container) and he and my mom installed some old, dead electronics out there for my nephew. It's now his rocketship. And it's fabulous.
07 August 2006
Race Day in Bend
Saturday, for Chris, was a two-fer - he had a race early on Saturday morning and then another late Saturday afternoon. The 2nd was the downtown criterium, which would be followed a few hours later by the main weekend event (at least as far as spectators are concerned), the pro crit.
Chris got back from his morning race right about the time I was getting up, so we went to a late breakfast together on the front patio of the hotel, and then did some shopping. I bought two pairs of shoes at King of Sole, which is a great little shoe store right around the corner from the hotel, and Chris bought a couple shirts at a shop called Urban Minx. I swear, I love that name so much, it's just priceless.
The sign hanging outside Urban Minx.
Chris' race was largely during the hottest part of the day (and don't talk to me about a dry heat, hot is hot in my book, and none of it is pleasant). I took a bunch of pictures of all the races that afternoon with my SLR, but hadn't had time to buy faster film before we left home, so I got a whole bunch of blurry pictures one can assume are cyclists, but not because they actually look like cyclists. Thankfully, the little digie managed to capture a few riders, so you can see that Chris actually did do some riding, and we did actually see some racing.
(L) This was Chris' group, and he's in the picture - which I think was more luck than anything on my part - 2.5 riders from the right, on the bright green bike. (R) Race organizers had placed hay bales at certain points along the course, mostly up against immovable objects like light posts, just in case anyone crashed into one. Others, like this one, were just bases for the "Caution" tape keeping people from crowding riders.
After Chris' race were a couple others, and then the pros did the "Twilight Crit" - the streets around the course were packed with people, which was really fun. We walked to the top of a completely empty parking garage so as to see the pack coming around an S-curve a bit better, and it was fun - watching them snake around those turns, like a liquid thing.
The big boys going through the curves on the backside of the course.
One highlight, for me anyway, was seeing local boy Aaron Olson, who rides for European pro team Saunier Duval-Prodir and was in town for the race. He was there on his own, with no teammates to help him out, just for the training and to support a great Oregon race. He was, understandably, the focus of much attention.
Olson being interviewed after the race - you can see the wide berth he's being given, and also the attention he's getting.
The winner of the crit turned out to be a familiar name - JJ Haedo. Haedo won a couple stages at the inaugural Tour of California this year, and I won't be surprised if he gets scooped up by a European team in the very near future.
Haedo getting interviewed post-win.
(L) 1st, 2nd & 3rd place on the stage, the Twilight Crit, with Toyota-United's JJ Haedo standing on top. (R) The jersey leaders at that point in the competition... I can't remember who they were at that point, and I think they changed by the time the race ended for good on Sunday, but if I find out who they were I'll update this.
Chris got back from his morning race right about the time I was getting up, so we went to a late breakfast together on the front patio of the hotel, and then did some shopping. I bought two pairs of shoes at King of Sole, which is a great little shoe store right around the corner from the hotel, and Chris bought a couple shirts at a shop called Urban Minx. I swear, I love that name so much, it's just priceless.
The sign hanging outside Urban Minx.
Chris' race was largely during the hottest part of the day (and don't talk to me about a dry heat, hot is hot in my book, and none of it is pleasant). I took a bunch of pictures of all the races that afternoon with my SLR, but hadn't had time to buy faster film before we left home, so I got a whole bunch of blurry pictures one can assume are cyclists, but not because they actually look like cyclists. Thankfully, the little digie managed to capture a few riders, so you can see that Chris actually did do some riding, and we did actually see some racing.
(L) This was Chris' group, and he's in the picture - which I think was more luck than anything on my part - 2.5 riders from the right, on the bright green bike. (R) Race organizers had placed hay bales at certain points along the course, mostly up against immovable objects like light posts, just in case anyone crashed into one. Others, like this one, were just bases for the "Caution" tape keeping people from crowding riders.
After Chris' race were a couple others, and then the pros did the "Twilight Crit" - the streets around the course were packed with people, which was really fun. We walked to the top of a completely empty parking garage so as to see the pack coming around an S-curve a bit better, and it was fun - watching them snake around those turns, like a liquid thing.
The big boys going through the curves on the backside of the course.
One highlight, for me anyway, was seeing local boy Aaron Olson, who rides for European pro team Saunier Duval-Prodir and was in town for the race. He was there on his own, with no teammates to help him out, just for the training and to support a great Oregon race. He was, understandably, the focus of much attention.
Olson being interviewed after the race - you can see the wide berth he's being given, and also the attention he's getting.
The winner of the crit turned out to be a familiar name - JJ Haedo. Haedo won a couple stages at the inaugural Tour of California this year, and I won't be surprised if he gets scooped up by a European team in the very near future.
Haedo getting interviewed post-win.
(L) 1st, 2nd & 3rd place on the stage, the Twilight Crit, with Toyota-United's JJ Haedo standing on top. (R) The jersey leaders at that point in the competition... I can't remember who they were at that point, and I think they changed by the time the race ended for good on Sunday, but if I find out who they were I'll update this.
04 August 2006
Tater Tots & Hidden Ducks in Bend
The principal reason for our trip to Bend in mid-July was a three-day bike race Chris had entered. Well, it was a three-day event for him - by the time we arrived on Thursday evening, the pro men and women had already completed two stages. But they get paid for that kind of thing...
This sun logo is everywhere at the Old St. Francis Hotel, and reminded me of my tattoo. Which meant, of course, that I had to get a picture of it.
At any rate, most of the racing Chris was doing took place far enough away from downtown Bend that I only got to see him in one event. That was fine, as we were staying at the fabulous Old St. Francis Hotel (part of the McMenimans chain that isn't) smack dab in the middle of downtown and mere steps away from many fine shopping opportunities. I took advantage of several of them.
For no reason I can determine, they've turned the old stage area into a Turkish soaking pool. Why Turkish? In the middle of Oregon? Who knows. In all honesty, I wish they'd been able to (or inclined to) alter the temperature of the water depending on the temperature outside - it was nearly 90 the whole weekend, not making me feel really excited about hopping into a giant hot tub.
Staying at the Old St. Francis was great for many reasons - it's downtown, it's charming, it's got an attached restaurant (and movie theatre and Turkish soaking pool) and it's got free wifi. The first night we were there we ate at the hotel bar, and for kicks we ordered the tater tots as appetizers. It wasn't until midway through the giant basket of them (which we were, sadly, unable to finish) that I realized they served tater tots because it used to be an elementary school. Veddy clever.
The tots were something special; I'm not sure I can convey how far above average these were, except to say that I want some right now.
Each bedroom is named after someone who worked with or at the school. We were staying in the Ed Danahy room - Ed was (according to the handout you can pick up at checkin) a "well-liked school custodian back in the 1960s-70s. He was an Irishman and lived with his family in one of the back houses." Those back houses are now cottages which are also part of the hotel.
(L) Each room features a portrait of its namesake, done in a style that's folksy and sort of a signature of the McMenimans properties. This here is our friend, Ed Danahy. (R) The room was really lovely, all wood panelled (the nice kind), and hand-painted headboards.
On Friday, when Chris took off early for his race, I slept in and then lingered over a leisurely breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Well, not in the restaurant, precisely - on its patio out front. It was a happily slow way to spend an hour or more.
I dined on oatmeal with caramelized apples, and played online the whole time. I had the patio to myself, as it was, for most, a workday.
After breakfast, I treated myself to a pedicure at a local spa, and ended up with orange toes. The only drawback was that I couldn't try on any of the cute shoes I found at King of Sole until the following day.
See? Orange toes.
Friday afternoon I found a small side courtyard at the hotel and camped out under the shade of a tree, an iced chai and a wireless connection keeping me company.
It was a delightful way to spend an afternoon...
That afternoon, once Chris got back from his race, we ambled down to the park and walked along the water. The river is so shallow in places that even the geese were walking across rather than swimming.
Can you spot the duck hiding in the last picture?
We ended the day with a film in the hotel's theatre (with more tater tots for dinner). Nice first day...
(L) Crazy - and wonderful - fence surrounding the courtyard at the hotel. (R) Artist representation of the school's namesake, complete with animal so you know which saint it is. Handy, that.
This sun logo is everywhere at the Old St. Francis Hotel, and reminded me of my tattoo. Which meant, of course, that I had to get a picture of it.
At any rate, most of the racing Chris was doing took place far enough away from downtown Bend that I only got to see him in one event. That was fine, as we were staying at the fabulous Old St. Francis Hotel (part of the McMenimans chain that isn't) smack dab in the middle of downtown and mere steps away from many fine shopping opportunities. I took advantage of several of them.
For no reason I can determine, they've turned the old stage area into a Turkish soaking pool. Why Turkish? In the middle of Oregon? Who knows. In all honesty, I wish they'd been able to (or inclined to) alter the temperature of the water depending on the temperature outside - it was nearly 90 the whole weekend, not making me feel really excited about hopping into a giant hot tub.
Staying at the Old St. Francis was great for many reasons - it's downtown, it's charming, it's got an attached restaurant (and movie theatre and Turkish soaking pool) and it's got free wifi. The first night we were there we ate at the hotel bar, and for kicks we ordered the tater tots as appetizers. It wasn't until midway through the giant basket of them (which we were, sadly, unable to finish) that I realized they served tater tots because it used to be an elementary school. Veddy clever.
The tots were something special; I'm not sure I can convey how far above average these were, except to say that I want some right now.
Each bedroom is named after someone who worked with or at the school. We were staying in the Ed Danahy room - Ed was (according to the handout you can pick up at checkin) a "well-liked school custodian back in the 1960s-70s. He was an Irishman and lived with his family in one of the back houses." Those back houses are now cottages which are also part of the hotel.
(L) Each room features a portrait of its namesake, done in a style that's folksy and sort of a signature of the McMenimans properties. This here is our friend, Ed Danahy. (R) The room was really lovely, all wood panelled (the nice kind), and hand-painted headboards.
On Friday, when Chris took off early for his race, I slept in and then lingered over a leisurely breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Well, not in the restaurant, precisely - on its patio out front. It was a happily slow way to spend an hour or more.
I dined on oatmeal with caramelized apples, and played online the whole time. I had the patio to myself, as it was, for most, a workday.
After breakfast, I treated myself to a pedicure at a local spa, and ended up with orange toes. The only drawback was that I couldn't try on any of the cute shoes I found at King of Sole until the following day.
See? Orange toes.
Friday afternoon I found a small side courtyard at the hotel and camped out under the shade of a tree, an iced chai and a wireless connection keeping me company.
It was a delightful way to spend an afternoon...
That afternoon, once Chris got back from his race, we ambled down to the park and walked along the water. The river is so shallow in places that even the geese were walking across rather than swimming.
Can you spot the duck hiding in the last picture?
We ended the day with a film in the hotel's theatre (with more tater tots for dinner). Nice first day...
(L) Crazy - and wonderful - fence surrounding the courtyard at the hotel. (R) Artist representation of the school's namesake, complete with animal so you know which saint it is. Handy, that.
03 August 2006
Donut Publicity
Regular readers of this blog know that I've rhapsodized about, thrown superlatives at, sung the praises of and waxed poetic on the subject of the donuts at the Lake Oswego Farmers Market. Finally, the rest of the world should begin to take notice. (And yours truly is even quoted at the end of the article - it's quite possible that the word "cakey" is made up, but you all know what I mean.)
The bad news is that the family is on vacation this week and next, meaning the droves of people who will flock to the market this Saturday will leave donut-less and disappointed. The good news is that they'll be back in two weeks, at which point at least those of us who have been regular fans - I mean customers - can get our donut fix again.
The bad news is that the family is on vacation this week and next, meaning the droves of people who will flock to the market this Saturday will leave donut-less and disappointed. The good news is that they'll be back in two weeks, at which point at least those of us who have been regular fans - I mean customers - can get our donut fix again.
Some Italian While You Wait
I have another post about our trip to Bend (god, what was that, three weeks ago now?) in the offing, but in the meantime (until I get my shit together to finally edit it), here are a couple idiomatic expressions from my trusty old Italian phrase-a-day calendar:
Sono sano come un pesce.
"I'm fit as a fiddle." - literally, "I'm as healthy as a fish."
Ha cambiato bandiera!
"He switched sides!" - literally, "He changed flags!"
Sono sano come un pesce.
"I'm fit as a fiddle." - literally, "I'm as healthy as a fish."
Ha cambiato bandiera!
"He switched sides!" - literally, "He changed flags!"
01 August 2006
Whose dumb idea was this?
From today's American Progress Report:
"Disney's ABC television network has dropped plans to produce a Holocaust-themed miniseries" overseen by Mel Gibson, who reportedly went on an anti-Semitic tirade after he was arrested for DUI last week.What nincompoop thought letting Mel Gibson oversee a "Holocaust-themed miniseries" was a good idea in the first place?!?
31 July 2006
Cat Videos
Rather than spread these out over time, I'm going to foist them all on you at once. So those of you who are anti-cat can skip this whole post. Heck, you might as well just skip the whole blog, as I'm not sure I want any anti-cat people around here... (I'm kidding. Mostly.)
But more to the point, for those of you who find the little furballs endlessly amusing, you'll enjoy this wee collection I've found (mostly on Frytopia) and been storing up...
Expensive Cat Toy - I laughed out loud at this one, mostly being thankful that wasn't my laptop.
Cat in a Bottle - Well, that about speaks for itself, now doesn't it?
Moos Attack - Even with the word "attack" in the title, the music got me. I'm a total sucker.
Ultimate Fighting Cats - I love that some people have this much time on their hands.
Sleepy Cat - That is one tired kitten...
Fox on Trampoline - Okay, it's not a cat, but this is so cute. And now I want a pet fox.
But more to the point, for those of you who find the little furballs endlessly amusing, you'll enjoy this wee collection I've found (mostly on Frytopia) and been storing up...
Expensive Cat Toy - I laughed out loud at this one, mostly being thankful that wasn't my laptop.
Cat in a Bottle - Well, that about speaks for itself, now doesn't it?
Moos Attack - Even with the word "attack" in the title, the music got me. I'm a total sucker.
Ultimate Fighting Cats - I love that some people have this much time on their hands.
Sleepy Cat - That is one tired kitten...
Fox on Trampoline - Okay, it's not a cat, but this is so cute. And now I want a pet fox.
28 July 2006
Cutting Back
There was a time in my life when I was unhappy with nearly everything I was doing. At that point, cutting something out of a busy schedule would have been easy. At this point, however, when everything in my life is fun and exciting and interesting, I hate that I have to cut something out... So I'm just cutting back instead.
This fall I'm going to go back to teaching one night a week as opposed to two, which should help. This term I've been teaching one level one class and one level two class, and the level two class was my first attempt at it... I feel, overall, that I'm doing the students some good - but not enough. I'm not confident enough in the material to be teaching it at the moment, and although I could certainly get to a higher confidence level, I don't have the time to devote to it.
So, starting in the fall, I'll be teaching one class a term, and only level one. Maybe I'll eventually get back to teaching level two, maybe not - for now, at least, it's a relief and a half to have only one class coming up next term.
This fall I'm going to go back to teaching one night a week as opposed to two, which should help. This term I've been teaching one level one class and one level two class, and the level two class was my first attempt at it... I feel, overall, that I'm doing the students some good - but not enough. I'm not confident enough in the material to be teaching it at the moment, and although I could certainly get to a higher confidence level, I don't have the time to devote to it.
So, starting in the fall, I'll be teaching one class a term, and only level one. Maybe I'll eventually get back to teaching level two, maybe not - for now, at least, it's a relief and a half to have only one class coming up next term.
25 July 2006
Summer Roll
So, it was hot recently here. The rule for all of my food when it's hot is that it cannot be cooked. That means I'm either eating salad or sushi - so on Friday night, we went out for sushi after spending some blissful time in an air conditioned movie theatre. One of the rolls on the menu was called a "Summer Roll," so we figured we'd give it a try.
It was gorgeous - crab meat, tuna and (I think) salmon, avocado and mango wrapped in a thin layer of crispy and sweet cucumber. Dee-lish. And purdy, don'tcha think?
It was gorgeous - crab meat, tuna and (I think) salmon, avocado and mango wrapped in a thin layer of crispy and sweet cucumber. Dee-lish. And purdy, don'tcha think?
24 July 2006
Curly Girl
Many years ago, in the folly of youth, I used to dye my hair black. And then I'd get it permed. It was huge with frizz. But I wanted curl, dammit, and with hair down to my waist, the weight never gave the curls a fighting chance. Then, more recently, my fabulous genius-of-a-hairdresser said that she would not both color and perm my hair. She said it would be too damaging. I settled on color, because I've always wanted to be a redhead, and she's been doing a fine job in that department. I settled for straight hair, and I was fine with the decision.
And then we cut to this past weekend, when it was so ungodly hot here that I became the girl who takes a couple cold showers every day just to cool off. I obviously wasn't about to blow-dry my hair after that, so it air-dried. And it did a funny thing. It curled.
Apparently my genius-of-a-hairdresser cut my hair in such a way that it curls if I don't blow-dry it. Who knew?!?
And then we cut to this past weekend, when it was so ungodly hot here that I became the girl who takes a couple cold showers every day just to cool off. I obviously wasn't about to blow-dry my hair after that, so it air-dried. And it did a funny thing. It curled.
Apparently my genius-of-a-hairdresser cut my hair in such a way that it curls if I don't blow-dry it. Who knew?!?
22 July 2006
Driveway Explosives
So, I'm a little behind... But if I'm being positive about things, I could say this makes holidays like July 4th last longer. Are you buyin' it? I hope so...
Before we went to the Lake O fireworks at the swim park, our new friends Nino & Patricia (well, more Nino than Patricia) set off some fireworks in their driveway with the help of their friends Jason & Codi (again, more Jason than Codi). Truth be told, Codi & I sat on the steps of the house, well out of firing range, with our cameras in hand. Patricia made sure the hose was turned on...
Nino's inner child comes out as he prepares to light something loud and/or colorful.
The smoke bombs were my favorites; they were really pretty, and - blissfully - perfectly quiet.
When the first spinny thing (and yes, that's a technical term) was let loose on the driveway, it didn't spin because of the cobbled surface. The ever-creative Jason ran inside and came out, all MacGyver-like, with a contraption to hold it above the driveway. When it didn't work as he'd planned, he opted to hold the thing himself. In this picture, he's clearly pleased with his ingenuity (it worked like a charm)...
...then he made the mistake of moving downwind... Ah, well, for those of us who were merely spectating, the boys put on a nice show.
Before we went to the Lake O fireworks at the swim park, our new friends Nino & Patricia (well, more Nino than Patricia) set off some fireworks in their driveway with the help of their friends Jason & Codi (again, more Jason than Codi). Truth be told, Codi & I sat on the steps of the house, well out of firing range, with our cameras in hand. Patricia made sure the hose was turned on...
Nino's inner child comes out as he prepares to light something loud and/or colorful.
The smoke bombs were my favorites; they were really pretty, and - blissfully - perfectly quiet.
When the first spinny thing (and yes, that's a technical term) was let loose on the driveway, it didn't spin because of the cobbled surface. The ever-creative Jason ran inside and came out, all MacGyver-like, with a contraption to hold it above the driveway. When it didn't work as he'd planned, he opted to hold the thing himself. In this picture, he's clearly pleased with his ingenuity (it worked like a charm)...
...then he made the mistake of moving downwind... Ah, well, for those of us who were merely spectating, the boys put on a nice show.
20 July 2006
Ten. Frickin. Years.
Today is the 10th anniversary of Chris' and my first date, and even though we have a "new" anniversary (the actual wedding), I'm not willing to give up on this one. I mean, I've now spent a decade with this man, and I want that recognized, dammit...
Seriously, I can't believe it's been ten years. Sometimes I feel like the time has just flown by, and others I feel like we've been together even longer. At any rate, this momentous date is causing me to reflect on the past just a tad... For those of you who already know the story of our first date, you can stop reading now. For those who don't know it, enjoy.
July 20, 1996
Chris had asked me out under duress from my then-employer (a mutual friend who kept trying to set us up), so I'm not sure either of us had terribly high hopes for the evening. I'd been in band rehearsals all day and was exhausted, so when Chris suggested (over the phone) that we go to a sushi restaurant, the fact that I'd never eaten sushi didn't cross my mind. I said, "Sure, sounds fine!" Then I hung up and though, "Oh, lordy, I hope they have something that's not raw..."
We went to Obi in Old Town, after an aborted attempt to eat at a place I'm still not convinced does anything but line people up outside its doors for hours on end (Saburo in Sellwood), and I did end up ordering teriyaki chicken... But my lone bravery gene made a rare appearance that night, and I did try Chris' sushi. And it wasn't bad. I've since come to love it, too...
The highlight of dinner, however, was when Chris popped a shrimp's head in his mouth, facing out, and moved it around with his tongue while saying (in a high-pitched Mr. Bill voice), "Oh nooo! Don't eat me! Nooo!" I swear, I just looked at this loony man sitting next to me and thought, "What in the hell am I doing here?!?" But he made me laugh, and that obviously counts for something.
After sushi we went for coffee up on Hawthorne, and when the guy behind the counter asked for Chris' name, he said, "Fidel," without skipping a beat. My double-take gave him away, unfortunately, and he had to explain that was his coffee name. He liked watching peoples' reactions when the barista yelled, "Fidel!" across a crowded cafe. I think he and the barista came up with a coffee name for me that night, but I don't remember it for sure - it might have been Bianca. It doesn't matter, because I never used it after that.
After coffee, he drove me home. And even after the whole shrimp's head thing and the Fidel thing, I still went out with him again. And again. And so on. Until we've arrived at what Chris has taken to (lovingly?) calling the Ten Frickin' Year Anniversary.
So, Happy TFY Anniversary, hon.
Seriously, I can't believe it's been ten years. Sometimes I feel like the time has just flown by, and others I feel like we've been together even longer. At any rate, this momentous date is causing me to reflect on the past just a tad... For those of you who already know the story of our first date, you can stop reading now. For those who don't know it, enjoy.
July 20, 1996
Chris had asked me out under duress from my then-employer (a mutual friend who kept trying to set us up), so I'm not sure either of us had terribly high hopes for the evening. I'd been in band rehearsals all day and was exhausted, so when Chris suggested (over the phone) that we go to a sushi restaurant, the fact that I'd never eaten sushi didn't cross my mind. I said, "Sure, sounds fine!" Then I hung up and though, "Oh, lordy, I hope they have something that's not raw..."
We went to Obi in Old Town, after an aborted attempt to eat at a place I'm still not convinced does anything but line people up outside its doors for hours on end (Saburo in Sellwood), and I did end up ordering teriyaki chicken... But my lone bravery gene made a rare appearance that night, and I did try Chris' sushi. And it wasn't bad. I've since come to love it, too...
The highlight of dinner, however, was when Chris popped a shrimp's head in his mouth, facing out, and moved it around with his tongue while saying (in a high-pitched Mr. Bill voice), "Oh nooo! Don't eat me! Nooo!" I swear, I just looked at this loony man sitting next to me and thought, "What in the hell am I doing here?!?" But he made me laugh, and that obviously counts for something.
After sushi we went for coffee up on Hawthorne, and when the guy behind the counter asked for Chris' name, he said, "Fidel," without skipping a beat. My double-take gave him away, unfortunately, and he had to explain that was his coffee name. He liked watching peoples' reactions when the barista yelled, "Fidel!" across a crowded cafe. I think he and the barista came up with a coffee name for me that night, but I don't remember it for sure - it might have been Bianca. It doesn't matter, because I never used it after that.
After coffee, he drove me home. And even after the whole shrimp's head thing and the Fidel thing, I still went out with him again. And again. And so on. Until we've arrived at what Chris has taken to (lovingly?) calling the Ten Frickin' Year Anniversary.
So, Happy TFY Anniversary, hon.
17 July 2006
Various & Sundry Amusing Tidbits
By which I mean two. These came in last week via the American Progress Report. The first is just one of those shake-your-head moments (like the head of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission who was also recently driving while drunk), while the second made me giggle aloud.
Enjoy.
"Beer magnate and former Republican U.S. Senate candidate Pete Coors was arrested on a drunken-driving charge and is due to appear in court next week."
Mr. T answers a question for a TV Land viewer: "Mr. T, why do you pity the fool?" Mr. T: "That is a good question and a legitimate question. And I'm the man to answer it. You pity the fool because you don't want to beat up a fool."
Enjoy.
"Beer magnate and former Republican U.S. Senate candidate Pete Coors was arrested on a drunken-driving charge and is due to appear in court next week."
Mr. T answers a question for a TV Land viewer: "Mr. T, why do you pity the fool?" Mr. T: "That is a good question and a legitimate question. And I'm the man to answer it. You pity the fool because you don't want to beat up a fool."
16 July 2006
From Denver to Newport
A few weeks ago, a college friend of mine from Denver graced us with her presence for a few days... And, since she lives in a land-locked state (the poor girl), she wanted to go to the beach. We had to abort our trip to Lincoln City when a traffic accident closed the road, but we ended up making it to Newport for a beautiful - if terrifically windy - day.
Kim doing her best South Park Kenny impression.
The same gang, different backgrounds... (L-R) Kim, me, Steph (the Denver girl) & Toni - we met freshman year, and have been friends ever since. Incidentally, we don't always look quite so windblown.
Kim doing her best South Park Kenny impression.
The same gang, different backgrounds... (L-R) Kim, me, Steph (the Denver girl) & Toni - we met freshman year, and have been friends ever since. Incidentally, we don't always look quite so windblown.
14 July 2006
Parson's Porridge & Orange Toes
I'm writing this from sunny Bend, Oregon, where Chris & I are this weekend for the Cascade Cycling Classic... While Chris is racing, I'm on a mini-vacation.
We got in last night, had dinner and a quick walk around downtown, and I already know a few shops I want to go back to later. I treated myself to a pedicure today (hence the orange toes), after a lovely breakfast on the patio (hence the porridge), so I can't try on any of the cute shoes I found at a shop around the corner... At least not until tomorrow. I think the park is also within walking distance, and I think there are swans there, too. So, maybe I'll wander down there later.
At the moment, though, I'm enjoying the hotel's free wifi in one of its four lovely courtyards, under the shade of an umbrella - which is necessary, as it's supposed to be 87 degrees today. And at some point I'm hoping to get some pictures up here for you... I've got shots from weeks ago that I hadn't even had time to get onto the computer until just now, so I've got some catching up to do.
One funny aside - for anyone who says the US isn't a soccer nation, we were stopped on our little walk last night by two people because Chris was wearing one of his "ITALIA" jackets. Both times, they said, "Hey, Italia! Congratulations!" So, at least some people are paying attention.
Alrighty, that's about it for now. I'm taking pictures this weekend, too, so eventually - really, eventually - you'll see them. I promise. Until then, just know that I mean well, even if I am getting quite lazy.
We got in last night, had dinner and a quick walk around downtown, and I already know a few shops I want to go back to later. I treated myself to a pedicure today (hence the orange toes), after a lovely breakfast on the patio (hence the porridge), so I can't try on any of the cute shoes I found at a shop around the corner... At least not until tomorrow. I think the park is also within walking distance, and I think there are swans there, too. So, maybe I'll wander down there later.
At the moment, though, I'm enjoying the hotel's free wifi in one of its four lovely courtyards, under the shade of an umbrella - which is necessary, as it's supposed to be 87 degrees today. And at some point I'm hoping to get some pictures up here for you... I've got shots from weeks ago that I hadn't even had time to get onto the computer until just now, so I've got some catching up to do.
One funny aside - for anyone who says the US isn't a soccer nation, we were stopped on our little walk last night by two people because Chris was wearing one of his "ITALIA" jackets. Both times, they said, "Hey, Italia! Congratulations!" So, at least some people are paying attention.
Alrighty, that's about it for now. I'm taking pictures this weekend, too, so eventually - really, eventually - you'll see them. I promise. Until then, just know that I mean well, even if I am getting quite lazy.
09 July 2006
CAMPIONI DEL MONDO
Italy has won the World Cup.I am utterly hoarse from all the screaming at the television. I'm exhausted, my head is killing me and my neck is stiff. My pulse was racing throughout the entire fricking match.
And I'm beyond happy.
photo from La Gazzetta dello Sport
06 July 2006
A Lake O Fourth
Chris & I went to a barbecue at the house of some new friends on Tuesday, and met two of their friends as well (A Fourth of New Friends!); it was a mostly relaxing day. Chris had to miss the whole meal, unfortunately, to do a bike race - he's training for a three-day race in Bend next weekend, and couldn't miss it as a training race - and rejoined us only just before the fireworks over the lake.
I didn't bring my camera to the lake (my pictures of the driveway explosives coming later), but one of our companions did. His pictures from the fireworks display are here and here. It was a great show, I was just tired and wishing it wasn't a "school night." And now, as I'm finally nearing another weekend (and days when I can take naps - hooray for naps!), I can't believe how much I need a weekend after the four days off I had only a few days ago... How time flies, whether you're having fun or not. Thank goodness I'm mostly having a blast.
I didn't bring my camera to the lake (my pictures of the driveway explosives coming later), but one of our companions did. His pictures from the fireworks display are here and here. It was a great show, I was just tired and wishing it wasn't a "school night." And now, as I'm finally nearing another weekend (and days when I can take naps - hooray for naps!), I can't believe how much I need a weekend after the four days off I had only a few days ago... How time flies, whether you're having fun or not. Thank goodness I'm mostly having a blast.
03 July 2006
I'm Still Watching the Tour...
I had a very heavy heart last Friday when I last checked in here - and in many ways I still do - about the state of cycling, my favorite cyclist's name on a list I don't want it on, etc. But over on that other wee blog, I wrote this.
I've made a decision to keep watching bike races and keep believing the guys who claim to be clean, unless and until it's proven otherwise. Cynics say every sport is full of dopers, and they're probably right. But if I don't continue believing that cycling is a beautiful sport, I'm not sure what I'm left with. Golf? I don't think so.
So I hope the cycling fans out there will keep being fans, and keep believing in the beauty and the grace of the sport. I think if enough of us say that we don't want our favorite cyclists to be super-human, only to ride their best, maybe they'll hear us. Maybe.
I've made a decision to keep watching bike races and keep believing the guys who claim to be clean, unless and until it's proven otherwise. Cynics say every sport is full of dopers, and they're probably right. But if I don't continue believing that cycling is a beautiful sport, I'm not sure what I'm left with. Golf? I don't think so.
So I hope the cycling fans out there will keep being fans, and keep believing in the beauty and the grace of the sport. I think if enough of us say that we don't want our favorite cyclists to be super-human, only to ride their best, maybe they'll hear us. Maybe.
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