Where did the week go?!

Not having a true weekend the weeks have literally smooshed together. I returned home Tuesday night.

I left Denver with this view.


Welcomed into the Northwest by this glorious skyline!



I never grow tired of flying into Portland...never!

The week has been filled with office work, cleaning house, installing installation, and enjoying the sunny sunshine!

I am excited because Zach and I are embarking on a road trip today to Redding, California! This is the first time we have driven the entire I-5 Oregon corridor and crossing the CA border! We will be staying at a Bed and Breakfast and attending a wedding between two individuals who I do not know. Zach does though! Though a wedding crashing could be interesting.

Off to enjoy the 90+ degree weather of Oregon!

To Celebrate a Life

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TO MY

PARTNER IN CRIME,

BEST FRIEND,

CHEERLEADER,

COMEDIAN,

THE CAUSE OF MY HAIR PULLING,

VOICE OF REASON (WHEN I THINK HE NEEDS TO BE),

AND JUST OVERALL...

ONE HECK OF A HUSBAND!

There's gold in them there hills!?!

I do work. Honest.

However, when time allows I am sure to find an adventure in the town I am stuck in for a bit. Today was no exception. One reason I love traveling with Kevin is because he is so darn flexible and spontaneous as I am! It is a dangerous combination, but, alas, today it was worth eight hours of sheer road trip bliss. We shedded the trappings of glitzy, city life for the wild, rugged Rocky Mountains.

Ironically I am re-reading Don Miller's Prayer and the Art of Volkswagon Maintenance or Through Painted Deserts during this trip. One passage that I love says this:

"It is unfair that mountains get all the respect and canyons are thought of so negatively. After all, it is no less a miracle that there is a towering pile of dirt and rock than an absence of it.

Without canyons, mountains would have no point of reference. "

How does one describe intense, majestic moments in a wilderness that could eat you alive, yet allows animals to exist and thrive? It was one memorable day--one that I will cherish.

For the slew of pictures, check out http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=41189&l=cbb23&id=668770847.

What a way to start the day than at the historical district...

I slept quite fitfully last night. Normally I zonk on my road trips, but alas, that did not happen last night. I partially believe it is due to my decision prior to sleeping that I would peruse the historical district this morning. History has that effect on me.

This morning I donned my clothes and went on my merry way. Once I got off the free bus line, I noticed there was quite the crowd around the historical district. I joined the throngs in time for a parade. I was elated! I love parades!

I saw awesome costumes.

A picturesque view of a historical building.

Then a sign that made me stop.

I looked around me. Rainbow hats, rainbow socks, rainbow umbrellas, and many many adams apples plastered with Cover Girl. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I had found myself in the yearly Denver Gay Pride Festival. This confirmed it.

I laughed heartily and texted Zach about what I had gotten myself into. I did not rebuke the situation but embraced it and perused the booths and outfits.


Plus I found the library and God's chair.

It was an interesting morning/afternoon and makes from a great story. However, I walked away with a few thoughts:

1. I overheard so many conversations centered around HIV; "has she gotten her results back?", "did you hear that so and so has AIDS?", etc.
2. I was astounded by the number of churches that embraced the situation as a way to say that God is ok with gays and that He did make a mistake with their identity. No wonder churches are viewed as so wishy washy.
3. I saw so much sadness and oppression. The hype and hoopla cannot hide the hurt in their eyes.

The Mile High City

The phone alarm started singing "Wish I Could Stay" at 3:45am. It was an early, early start to a Saturday morning. However, once I saw this view at 7,000 ft I was reminded why I love flying out of Portland in the wee morning hours.

Two hours later I found myself plopped into the Mile High City of Denver. After being told that I could not early check in and assembling the GBI booth, I found myself on the search for some adventure or a place for a nap.


I waddled along the 16th Street Mall area, then found myself heading toward the watering hole of the city, Platte River. Along the banks I saw dogs splashing, children rafting, individuals sunbathing, and a multitude of bikers getting their long jaunt fix.

I found a bit of free real estate and settled for some reading and relaxation.

The trolley sounded its bell and I was intrigued. For a minimal fee of $3, I rode alongside the river seeing the aquarium, children's museum, and Denver Broncos stadium.

By this time it was 4pm--the magical time that all rooms are available at the hotel. I got my key, rode the elevator, got to my floor only to see piles of TVs sprawled in the hallway. Due to the Democratic convention about to convene on the city, everything is getting a facelift. So, I am the first patron of Room *** to test out a flat screen TV. The new beds come next week. But that is ok, I took a nap on the present mattress and it is not bad.

After a nap and a shower, I headed out to find sushi. As with most adventures in life, I ended up taking a massive detour. In the elevator ride to the ground floor I chatted with a fellow exhibitor who in turn had an extra ticket to the Rockies vs. Mets game. I was invited, could not pass up the use of a free $75 ticket, and began a fun evening. The ballpark was awesome, the game fast paced, beautiful scenery, and the company delightful. In my excitement I called Zach only to feel that I had some explaining to do--I do not like baseball and will never go to games with him, so to go with a stranger it quite the tale. It was a memory though!




I ended the evening with a dinner of sushi.

Now excuse me as I go to bed. My eyes are bloodshot and the contacts are stuck to the eyeballs due to being in place for 20 hours.

AKA: Bramble, Cloudberry, Dewberry, Goutberry, High Blackberry, Thimbleberry, Bumble-Kite

They can be juicy, tart, sour, or sweet.

I like them in muffins, smoothies, bread, jams, and jellies.

I have fond country memories of attacking these puppies at full force with a hungry glint once ripened.

Blackberries.

Besides knowing they are yummy and gargatuan in size (the bush that is), I realized I did not know too much about the blackberry. I googled the term. (As a side note, I saw a book at Powell's the other night titled, Is Google making Us Stoopid? I must confess, I just learned something new from Google today. Regressing.)

Facts about Blackberries:

Blackberry has been used historically by many cultures to treat a variety of conditions. The ancient Romans used blackberry leaves to treat bleeding gums as well as diarrhea. Greeks used blackberry to treat gout and the Chinese used it to treat kidney problems, incontinence and impotence. Ancients even thought that crawling under a blackberry bush would work as a charm against a variety of afflictions. (Really?! I am cured! Explain in a bit.)

Applications: Astringent
Astringent – teas containing tannins from the leaves or bark have gentle astringent properties, which are useful in treating diarrhea, hemorrhoids, burns and scalds. The leaves may be chewed to treat bleeding gums. Wines and vinegars made from the fruit are thought to work against edema caused by poor circulation.

Blackberry is a creeping, perennial bush that grows in dry and sandy soil in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States (but takes over and dominates the Northwest!). It is also successfully cultivated elsewhere, such as Europe and Australia. The plant features slender, thorny branches and hairy, oval, serrated leaves which appear in groups of 3 or 5. The plant produces white flowers in the summer months along with juicy berries which ripen from red to purplish black.

I tell lay this out to you because today I took on the beast and won. Well, this looks the worst of them.

Little did I know that when I signed up to work at PR firm, this is what it would entail.

This is what I saw when I opened our back door earlier in the week. Monstrous. If I had let it go much longer it would have been inside the door, easily.

After 2 1/2 hours this is how the view looks.

I do love good manual labor--until I meet one of these nasties. Oh, they make my entire hand go numb. I took a forest of them out last year.

I could not feel my hands for 6 1/2 days.

Destination: Portland

I am doing a happy little jig at the moment. Why? My parents are coming to Portland in July! That is sooooo soon! I cannot wait to show them around the city we have come to love and be a part of in the past three years. Hooray!

My quest is to remember the previous books

I have a slight problem.

I read a lot.

That in of itself is not a large problem. The problem lies in that I read so much fanstasy/sci fi that books start smooshing together.

When I picked up the latest Septimus Heap book, Queste, it took me quite a few pages to remember the storyline. But another problem arose--the story was not that suck-you-in quality. I felt it dragged. Then when it came to the ending where goodness was about to erupt, I felt rushed and booted out of the magykal world quite abruptly. A few story lines are not completed and it makes me wonder what is to come. I will continue to wait for the next one, but I may have to reread previous ones to regain my footing in this series.

The view from the office chair: UPDATE

The view from the office chairs these days has been dismal. June-uary?! That is what the meteorologiest have coined this dire weather situation the Northwest is experiencing. However, there is hope.

I looked out today.

I want to run away.

But before I run away I want to tell you something. That slab of concrete next door has transformed into a shiny piece of concrete!

It has even got landscaping!

Did you know they were trying to sell these condos at the starting price of $300,000 for the 800 sq. ft. model? Yes, and they did not sell one. Now they are apartments. There is to be an open house next week and the office staff is taking a field trip.

It helps that part of the office staff will be on the other side of the continent. Shhh.

But then I see this puffy, white cloud reflection and remind myself that I am running away...

...as soon as the clock ticks 4pm.

It can't be this hard?!

I like to take pictures. I am a visual learner, doer, and everything other -er associated with visual aids. I like to share my photos. When I am perusing other blogs I notice the use of a cool slideshow technique so that there is not a massive column of photos. Snazzy, I know.

I followed the options that blogger help provided.

I used Picasso.

I pushed the buttons it said to push.

No slide show.

I repeated.

No slide show.

I tried a different option, chose different pictures, and pushed the button I was suppose to push.

No slide show.

I think I need a blog savvy blogger friend. Help.

I just want to share pictures like this.

The things one sees when in a canoe. It was a moment of "well, I will put the oar to the metal and boogey on over for that auction!"

But for the main crux of this post. If you have wisdom, be my friend and let me know what I am doing wrong. Puh-lease!

Tractor tire exploding!?!

She said it with a straight face.

"Amanda, you must read this book! It is about a Kentucky girl on a journey. Can you tell me if it is real Kentucky style?"

The opening paragraph included an exploding tractor tire, congregating of the locals, and summoning the volunteer firefighters. It was legit. Then came the stringing beans, drawl talking, and the "lawdy mercies".

Needless to say this was a treat to read. I laughed heartily and loved the journey life lessons along the way. Thanks Amy for sharing!

Wrapping up my time in Vegas

It is my last evening in the desert. I sit catching up on emails, blog stories, and getting my dose of Christmas music. The ironic part is I keep walking around my room and out on the balcony trying to pen down the cigarette smoke smell--it is irritating and gross. Guess what? It is me. The skank smell of casinos has imbedded into my I (heart) New York shirt and followed me into my Marriott haven. So much for trying to peg someone else.

The final night in the city I found myself meandering along Old Town, gazing at the deco neon lights and cheap buffets. Kevin and I ate at the Main Street Buffett--amazing architecture!

Then we got geleto. Yummy!

On our way to find the bus 108, we passed through the Golden Nugget and saw the waterslide--that goes through the aquarium! I took this picture in honor of my brother, Stephen, who displayed such watersliding skills on our cruise. This was amazing!

We finally found bus 108 after being told five times to go four more blocks. Ah, the joys of public transportation in an unknown city.

PS. I laid by the pool once again today--99 degrees! I am wringing my hands thinking of returning to 50 degrees and rainy. I love Portland, but these are the trips that remind me that weather does continue to exist elsewhere.

Viva Las Vegas!

Once again I have jetted through the friendly skies and landed in sin city. Las Vegas is not on my top ten list of favorite cities--it is very dark, overwhelming, and the lack of control is unnerving. As one fellow tourist commented today, "This city is such a window into our society." I had to agree. Nonetheless, I cannot say that I detest Las Vegas whole heartedly.

First, it was 98 degrees today. This was the view from my poolside chair.

Second, one must commend the imaginations and designs of these massive hotels. Tonight I was in Paris, the Caribbean, and Venice. The hotels are expansive, detailed, and exquisite. I enjoy perusing the hallways will tantalizing food smells and weird (extremely expensive) stores, then enjoy a warm evening stroll along the strip.

Treasure Island pirate ship.

Canal in the Venetician.

View inside one of the newest hotels...which I cannot remember the name.

Waterfall outside the Wynn.

Polyester is not cool...

This past weekend the Rose Festival kicked off! Friday night a group of us staked our claim on the eastside waterfront to gaze at the fireworks, but as the sun set we played games of Stinkers and played with green camera lights. For example:



I have been warned that the Willamette is toxic. ha ha!


Saturday night, I donned a stylin' polyester dress and ran alongside two dear friends in the 5K Starlight Run. It was a great night to run and view a quirky Portland parade.