Ben and I arrived safely in Portland on Tuesday evening! We had not planned on arriving until sometime Thursday. We were going to take a detour in Northern California and cut over to the coast. A trip to the Redwoods was on the agenda. When we left Scottsdale on Monday morning I had a minor cold which quickly turned into a major cold. Ben's back started killing him after day one of the drive and has only been getting worse. It's been miserable but we found a Bikram yoga studio less than 5 miles away. Our first class is tomorrow morning and we consider it a cure all, so I'm sure we will be feeling better after.
We will have to save the Redwoods trip for summer but the weather will be better then anyway.
We had unexpected beautiful weather for the whole drive, no rain or snow. It has been sunny (SUNNY! Not a cloud in the sky) and 60 degrees since we arrived. I can't believe it hasn't rained yet.
Just a few weird things we have learned about our new home since arriving...
-No sales tax (this is very strange to us, we are used to paying an extra 8%)
-You cannot pump your own gas. Seriously. You will get in trouble if you try to pump it yourself. I think it's illegal. I'm not sure why yet but I'll find out.
Ben left a few minutes ago to pick up his nephew from school (dropping him off and picking him up is part of our every day routine) but I will post video and pictures from the road soon.
I can't wait for everyone to come visit.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Total Eclipse of the Heart (Moon, actually)
It's a total eclipse of the moon, tell all your friends.
Finally, a lunar eclipse visible from America during a convenient time! We have a total lunar eclipse this Wednesday evening (February 20th) which should turn the moon red as Earth’s shadow passes over it. Maximum eclipse will be at 10:26 PM EST and 7:26 PST. Besides North and South America, the eclipse will be visible from western Europe and western Africa.
You will be able to see the eclipse without a telescope but use binoculars for a better view. I know i'm a dork but I will be watching the eclipse on Wednesday night, it will make me happy to think that people I love are doing the same thing at the same time.
If I knew how to insert audio you would be hearing Bonnie Tyler singing Total Eclipse of the Heart right now. I don't know how, too bad. I hope you singing it in your head though.
If you need a reason not to eat meat...
I haven't eaten meat since January 3rd, until last night. Our neighbor Phil threw us a going away barbeque and he smoked a turkey. I wasn't even hungry but gave in and had some of the turkey anyway. As if I wasn't feeling guilty enough, I woke up to this mornings news. A 143 million pound beef recall, the largest in US history.
I've been preparing for the move to Portland by trying to get out of the habit of eating meat. We will be living with Ben's family for a short time and they are vegan. I am excited for the healthier diet but wanted to wean myself off meat before our arrival. (I'm still working on dairy which I am finding considerably harder to give up.)
I guess if I ever needed a reason not to eat meat this would be it, or one of them anyway.
Warning: This vidow contains graphic images!
I can honestly say I will not be eating beef again. I keep imagining the pain those poor animals are experiencing. The video makes me cry.
I've been preparing for the move to Portland by trying to get out of the habit of eating meat. We will be living with Ben's family for a short time and they are vegan. I am excited for the healthier diet but wanted to wean myself off meat before our arrival. (I'm still working on dairy which I am finding considerably harder to give up.)
I guess if I ever needed a reason not to eat meat this would be it, or one of them anyway.
Warning: This vidow contains graphic images!
I can honestly say I will not be eating beef again. I keep imagining the pain those poor animals are experiencing. The video makes me cry.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Leave your crazy at home old man!
So, we're moving and that alone is stressful enough as anyone who has ever moved can attest.
An out of state move, beyond stressful.
Today was garage sale day. Let me just say upfront this is the first garage sale we have ever done. We were pretty unprepared to begin with, usually we do a good job of motivating each other but neither of us was looking forward to the garage sale and we both put it out of mind. Last night at 11:15 we realized we had not made or put up signs. We hunkered down and knocked out some signs then drove around the neighborhood at midnight taping them to light poles. We also realized we didn't have any change but figured we could get some in the morning when one of us went on what was sure to be one of many coffee runs, we are not early risers.
We woke up this morning at 5am to start setting up as planned but to our surprise (no we didn't check the forcast) it was pouring down rain. We figured people wouldn't be out in the cold and rain so we decided to watch the weather and hang out for a little while. At 5:55 am there is a knock on the door. To our surprise it was someone who wanted to know if we were having the garage sale. Apparently the empty driveway and dark house weren't enough of a clue. We explained that since we don't actually have a garage (1-car carport only) and it was pouring down rain we were holding off. He proceeded to grill Ben about what we had for sale. "Any hobby kits, remote control cars?" No & no!
A very strange occurence we thought but we had 2 or 3 more people show up and knock throughout the morning. While we couldn't understand what possessed people to come and knock on the door in the pouring rain they were mostly friendly when we explained we had held off due to the rain but would be going ahead tomorrow as planned. We got through the morning and most of the afternoon when...
At 3:00 it's still drizzling out and there is a knock on the door. Ben answers the door to find a cute little old man on the doorstep. Cute old man says gruffly "Are you having a sale today?"
I want to make clear that most of our signs said Fri & Sat 6am-11am (and who garage sales at three in the afternoon anyway?).
Ben politely replied "No, because of the rain we are done for the day but we will be having the sale again tomorrow." No need to tell the old man we didn't have the sale at all.
Little old man became visibly agitated and said to Ben, "If you're not having a sale, then take your signs down or I'll rip them down for you!"
WTF!? Ben's a little irritated at this point and says "Sir, if you have the time, by all means take the signs down but I want to point out that it's 3:00 in the afternoon."
Little old man's response? "Stores close at 5:00!" as he stomps off angrily down the driveway.
We all have our own different brand of crazy but I often wonder why people can't just leave their crazy at home. Shed it on your way out the door in order to function in normal society and put it back on when you get home. Take it out on the people who love you enough to deal with you, even though you're crazy.
We haven't yet gone out to see if he actually took the signs down. I think if he did, my vote is just to call off the garage sale completely.
Does anyone need any furniture, books, clothes or misc. crap?? Come to our garage sale tomorrow (but it's 6-11am only).
The joys of moving.
An out of state move, beyond stressful.
Today was garage sale day. Let me just say upfront this is the first garage sale we have ever done. We were pretty unprepared to begin with, usually we do a good job of motivating each other but neither of us was looking forward to the garage sale and we both put it out of mind. Last night at 11:15 we realized we had not made or put up signs. We hunkered down and knocked out some signs then drove around the neighborhood at midnight taping them to light poles. We also realized we didn't have any change but figured we could get some in the morning when one of us went on what was sure to be one of many coffee runs, we are not early risers.
We woke up this morning at 5am to start setting up as planned but to our surprise (no we didn't check the forcast) it was pouring down rain. We figured people wouldn't be out in the cold and rain so we decided to watch the weather and hang out for a little while. At 5:55 am there is a knock on the door. To our surprise it was someone who wanted to know if we were having the garage sale. Apparently the empty driveway and dark house weren't enough of a clue. We explained that since we don't actually have a garage (1-car carport only) and it was pouring down rain we were holding off. He proceeded to grill Ben about what we had for sale. "Any hobby kits, remote control cars?" No & no!
A very strange occurence we thought but we had 2 or 3 more people show up and knock throughout the morning. While we couldn't understand what possessed people to come and knock on the door in the pouring rain they were mostly friendly when we explained we had held off due to the rain but would be going ahead tomorrow as planned. We got through the morning and most of the afternoon when...
At 3:00 it's still drizzling out and there is a knock on the door. Ben answers the door to find a cute little old man on the doorstep. Cute old man says gruffly "Are you having a sale today?"
I want to make clear that most of our signs said Fri & Sat 6am-11am (and who garage sales at three in the afternoon anyway?).
Ben politely replied "No, because of the rain we are done for the day but we will be having the sale again tomorrow." No need to tell the old man we didn't have the sale at all.
Little old man became visibly agitated and said to Ben, "If you're not having a sale, then take your signs down or I'll rip them down for you!"
WTF!? Ben's a little irritated at this point and says "Sir, if you have the time, by all means take the signs down but I want to point out that it's 3:00 in the afternoon."
Little old man's response? "Stores close at 5:00!" as he stomps off angrily down the driveway.
We all have our own different brand of crazy but I often wonder why people can't just leave their crazy at home. Shed it on your way out the door in order to function in normal society and put it back on when you get home. Take it out on the people who love you enough to deal with you, even though you're crazy.
We haven't yet gone out to see if he actually took the signs down. I think if he did, my vote is just to call off the garage sale completely.
Does anyone need any furniture, books, clothes or misc. crap?? Come to our garage sale tomorrow (but it's 6-11am only).
The joys of moving.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
More Project Runway
I understand that it's weird to blog about a TV show but does anyone else even watch this show? You should because if you did, you would be blogging about it also.
The challenge this week was exciting after last weeks tack fest. That challenge was truly craptacular, just for the record.
This week the designers had to pick a work of art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and design an outfit inspired by that work of art.
And the winner is...
Christian - of course. So, I know he's a super bitchy, mini sized queen. and I love him for it. Well for his bitchiness and the poof he calls hair. I want to carry him in my pocket or use him as a garden gnome or put him up on my mantle but still...I LOVE his clothes. I would wear this outfit, all 8 million pieces of it. Yes, I would look like a strange burnt marshmallow or a pirate on crack but I would wear it anyway. You have to wear the clothes dahlings, don't let the clothes wear you.
Do you need more reasons to love this show?
This:
I wish I had a picture of the back, it was adorable.
And This: Yes, it is slightly reminiscent of the dress I posted previously but that pewter color makes me want to die, it's fabulous. Fabulously beautiful. And even without the poof, it's still a gorgeous dress. Sorry, I think I need a minute to swoon...
The challenge this week was exciting after last weeks tack fest. That challenge was truly craptacular, just for the record.
This week the designers had to pick a work of art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and design an outfit inspired by that work of art.
And the winner is...
Christian - of course. So, I know he's a super bitchy, mini sized queen. and I love him for it. Well for his bitchiness and the poof he calls hair. I want to carry him in my pocket or use him as a garden gnome or put him up on my mantle but still...I LOVE his clothes. I would wear this outfit, all 8 million pieces of it. Yes, I would look like a strange burnt marshmallow or a pirate on crack but I would wear it anyway. You have to wear the clothes dahlings, don't let the clothes wear you.
Do you need more reasons to love this show?
This:
I wish I had a picture of the back, it was adorable.And This: Yes, it is slightly reminiscent of the dress I posted previously but that pewter color makes me want to die, it's fabulous. Fabulously beautiful. And even without the poof, it's still a gorgeous dress. Sorry, I think I need a minute to swoon...
In the words of Christian, this show is FIERCE! I can't wait for Bryant Park. (Okay so I kind of cheated and looked at pictures of the designers final collections) You can see phots on the project rungay blog if you can't wait until the finale.
Erin and Ben are leaving...
So, I wanted to let those people who read my blog know about a few events (Carrie - I am talking to you!)
First, this coming Sunday, the 18th our awesome friend, landlord and next door neighbor is throwing us a going away BBQ. It starts at 3:00 and goes until whenever. He will be smoking a turkey and a pork loin, there will be plenty of other food, drinks and live music as well. Call or e-mail me if you need directions. If you know where I live then just come to my house, we will open the gate between the yards since he lives right next door!
Then, on Friday the 22nd my good friend Tara was kind enough to plan a going away happy hour. This will be our last weekend in town so we would love to see everyone there! See below for info. (Tara wrote it, jsut for the record and I didn't even have to pay her to say nice things about me, for once.)
Happy Hour
When: Friday, February 22nd @ 5:00 PM or whenever you get off work and can make it!
Where: San Felipe's at Tempe Marketplace
www.sanfelipescantina.com
Why: It's time to celebrate all of our good times and say Best Wishes to the incomparable, incredible, beautiful, spectacular Erin and her Ben before they leave us in Arizona to set out on their new journey to Portland!!!
See you soon!
First, this coming Sunday, the 18th our awesome friend, landlord and next door neighbor is throwing us a going away BBQ. It starts at 3:00 and goes until whenever. He will be smoking a turkey and a pork loin, there will be plenty of other food, drinks and live music as well. Call or e-mail me if you need directions. If you know where I live then just come to my house, we will open the gate between the yards since he lives right next door!
Then, on Friday the 22nd my good friend Tara was kind enough to plan a going away happy hour. This will be our last weekend in town so we would love to see everyone there! See below for info. (Tara wrote it, jsut for the record and I didn't even have to pay her to say nice things about me, for once.)
Happy Hour
When: Friday, February 22nd @ 5:00 PM or whenever you get off work and can make it!
Where: San Felipe's at Tempe Marketplace
www.sanfelipescantina.com
Why: It's time to celebrate all of our good times and say Best Wishes to the incomparable, incredible, beautiful, spectacular Erin and her Ben before they leave us in Arizona to set out on their new journey to Portland!!!
See you soon!
See you soon!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Random web
Looking for a way to kill a few hours on the web. Make your own Picassohead.
I'm not very creative but still had fun with this. View my self portrait. Or the picasso version of the dogs.
Get creative and make your own masterpiece (be warned you will spend entirely too much time on this website).
I'm not very creative but still had fun with this. View my self portrait. Or the picasso version of the dogs.
Get creative and make your own masterpiece (be warned you will spend entirely too much time on this website).
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Super Tuesday
It's Super Tuesday. I cast my vote today, did you? If you did, let me know if you had any exciting adventures or overheard anything funny. I did hear the election workers saying they had never been that busy on an election day before.
I was also surprised to see campaign signs on the lawn of my polling place today. While I was sure this was not allowed I did ask the poll worker inside. She grumpily informed me that as long as the signs are not within 75 feet of the door it's allowed. I got the feeling maybe she had put them there. :)
Still, it seems like electioneering too close to a polling place to me.
If you haven't voted yet, there is still time, GO VOTE!
(If there is a primary or caucus in your state today)
I was also surprised to see campaign signs on the lawn of my polling place today. While I was sure this was not allowed I did ask the poll worker inside. She grumpily informed me that as long as the signs are not within 75 feet of the door it's allowed. I got the feeling maybe she had put them there. :)
Still, it seems like electioneering too close to a polling place to me.
If you haven't voted yet, there is still time, GO VOTE!
(If there is a primary or caucus in your state today)
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