to a better decade

I toasted to a new year tonight with a new pink champagne, old acquaintances and new acquaintances.  I think that I've only been to a bar a small handful of times on New Years Eve.  Going to a friend's house with a number of other friends is much more desirable to me than heading out to a bar on amateur drunk night.

I heard more and more people say that 2009 has been the worse year they've ever experienced.  The recession, excessive job loss and swine flu were just a number of potential different causes. For me though, it was a pretty good year, although it definetly had it's low points.  My grandma dying was difficult.  It was especially noticeable during Christmas.

However, I also made a lot of personal progress this year.  Getting into grad school and finishing my first quarter with a B+ and an A were proud moments.  I had a fabulous bike summer and I particularly enjoyed the Michael Jackson Tribute ride and the World Naked Bike Ride.  Country Fair was pretty damn awesome.  The John Day Fossil Beds campout was great.  I wish I had gotten out of town more often though.

For this next year, I don't know if I'm making any unusual resolutions.  I am planning on going somewhere on a sunny, nice vacation at some point during a school break, either Spring or Summer.  I would like to take a train ride too.  I resolve to not get too stressed out with work and school.  I'm going to push myself but I'm going to pull back from work more if it gets to be to hard.  I also plan on getting rid of my car completely.  Those are my few goals which are probably attainable.  Anyway, I just hope it'll be another good year.

What else?
My friends' friend's friend Rianna taught me how to pop Snaps (those lil wrapped up fireworks) with my bare fingers.  Whoo.

a debt-free man

As of today, I don't owe anyone a damn thing. :)

Today I paid off my student loans from my undergrad schooling and my bill for my laser eye surgery.  It feels good to be free.

snowpocolypse 09

What a difference a few hours makes...

I was real close to riding my bike to work this morning but it took me a little longer than I had anticipated to get ready so fortunately, I left it at home.

Hours before the end of my work shift, it started snowing.  However, this was an entirely different snow than the one I had just experienced in Nebraska.  This was a nice heavy snowfall with hardly any wind.  It snowed around 4 or 5 inches (I guess) in a matter of hours and then was done.  It didn't last for days.  It didn't kill people.  It was just pretty and fun.

I took Dean and Raven to the park to run around for a bit.  To my recollection, I haven't walked them both to the park to play in the snow before.  Anyway, it seemed new but the world always seems anew after a fresh snow.

quite resortful

In 1987, I went back to see my childhood friend that I had moved away from the year before.  He had just gotten an original Nintendo and he was playing the water level of Super Mario Brothers.  I was floored and thought that it was way beyond me.  It was also something I wanted.  Eventually, my family got one and every Christmas for the rest of my youth became about getting the newest game.

This Christmas was a throwback to the days of yesteryear as I got Wii Sports Resort.  Today, I tried it out and it was quite addictive.  I took Dean for a walk first so I wouldn't feel guilty when I began throwing a virtual frisbee to a virtual dog.  My favorite games on it were the Frisbee dog, wake-boarding and the 3 point shot competition which was the most exhausting and hazardous to our ceiling.  It was nice to take some time to just have fun before school starts but, when the time comes, I'll have to get all serious and study again.  Childish things and all that.

What else?
I loved being back with my family and getting snowed in together but it was absolutely delightful walking around Portland without a jacket.  While on store visit downtown, I went to buy my books for next quarter and took a nice walk in the sun to do so. 

yee-haw i'm in houston

Of all of the times I've flown back to Nebraska, I've only not transferred planes in Denver once. I stopped in Seattle that time. Today I transferred planes in Houston and I'm surprisingly happy about it.

I obviously didn't really examine the flight plans or times when I booked this trip. I think I was primarily concerned with the price. Flying down here to Houston made my trip twice as long but they said that it's the journey that's important & not the destination so here I am.

I've only flown out of Texas one other time from the Indymedia gathering & I had an emotional breakdown that lasted two days. I'm hoping this will be a lot better since I'm more well traveled.

This is also my 1st time flying Continental. So far it's been okay but I still prefer Frontier. Also they're gonna serve a meal which is great cuz all I've had since leaving Omaha is five cookies.

a vacation in two hours and forty-two minutes

Yesterday, I didn't leave my parent's house at all.  Today, I left reality for a few hours.

Cabin fever set in and none of us were going to be satisfied with playing board games any longer.  We checked the roads, figured out it was do-able and headed to Kearney where we went to a new theater.  It's a nice multiplex that wasn't there when I was in college.  And we went to see Avatar.

I've been wanting to see this movie for a while and I haven't seen a movie with most of my family in the theater for years.  My brother, dad and I liked it.  My niece didn't and my grandma got motion sickness from it.  It has a great message (although there is problems with about anything if you scrutinize it hard enough) and it's absolutely beautiful.  I can't wait to see it in 3-D when I get back to Portland.

What else?
My sister and youngest niece got to my parents' house today.  My littlest niece has long hair and loves dogs.  She's actually worn Oliver out.  I'm really grateful to be able to see them before I go home even if it's just for a little bit.

white xmas

Today, I didn't set foot outside.  Aside from it being Christmas without my sister (snowed-in in Kansas), that's my new thing.  Well that and taking melatonin to help me sleep. It was a nice holiday but it did feel awkward opening presents without Jackie.

family fun

Yes I'm a dork and I like board games.  I also like card games and I enjoy family time where the TV isn't invited along.

It's Christmas Eve and the weather is awful out.  Luckily, we don't have to go anywhere and we're well stocked up on food, booze and entertainment.  Unfortunately, my sister and youngest niece are in Kansas and it's too dangerous for them to make it up here.  They reported on the news tonight that there were over 100 cars in ditches on I-80 and so far there have been seven fatalities.

However, knowing that everyone I hold dear in the Midwest is safe is good.  Here in Gibbon, we played Monopoly (my dad won), pitch (I won one game and Eric won two), Life (I think Hayleigh or my mom won) and electronic Trivia for the first time (my mom and I won).  My mom made meat and cheese lasagna which was wonderful and Hayleigh made red velvet cookies with chocolate chips and a cream frosting.  As I've said before, presents are fun and all but this is what I like about holidays.  I feel all sappy inside.

the blizzard

I have been doing new things since I've gotten home but it's not too much to write about.  Yesterday, I went to my parents' friends' house which was big and lavish.  It has two spare bedrooms, an office, a den and an upstairs living room with brand new couches that nobody will probably sit in.  What recession?

Today's new thing was walking Oliver in the snow.  I don't think this dog has seen a lot of snow.  It's always fun to watch pets experience snow for one of the first times.  Oliver tried to walk without letting his back legs touch the ground and, then when he accepted that it was impossible, he dove in face first.

Also, a new thing today was mixing Bailey's Irish Creme and Buttershot Schnapps. :)  I love the snow.

and so this is gibbon

Between my last visit and this one, my parents moved again.  They moved from St Paul (population 2200) to Gibbon (population 1750).  They're not that far from each other and I could call them small towns but then again, I grew up in a town of 20 people and then a town of 305.

To the best of my knowledge, this is my first time in Gibbon.  I did go to some small town school for a career day to represent the Archway Monument years ago but this was the first time getting to see the town.  There's not a lot here.  The picture above is Gibbon's business district.  Still, it'll be a nice place to relax and we bought plenty of liquor to see us through the impending snow storm.

oliver hogsworth

I probably don't need to tell anyone that I am a dog person but more specifically, I'm a DOG person.  Growing up, I had Skip who was a big half border collie, half sheepdog.  Now I have a 90lb black lab.  I've always thought that small dogs were too close to cats.  If you're gonna get something that small, why not just get a cat?

Today, I met my brother's dog Oliver.  Oliver rode on my lap all the way home from Omaha (three-four hours).  I can easily understand small lap dogs now.  He is so sweet.  He's just what I needed after a long day of transportation.

What else?
I made all of my standby potentials and got to 'Braska just four hours late.  The flights were actually okay and I didn't have to pay any extra money.  I'm kind of sold on Frontier now.  The people I sat between from PDX to Denver were nice too and I was able just to sit there and finish the last Season of Dexter.  My vacation commenceth.

just so typically me

Oops I missed my flight again.

Damnit, I wonder what the record is for missing flights because, percentage wise, I probably rank up there.  I could have sworn the flight info said I leave around noon.  However, while in line at 10:47 am, I checked the info on my phone and found out the plane departs at 10:56 am.  D'oh.  I should've probably guessed that when I saw that the Southwest Airlines line was 200 people deep (and that's a conservative estimate) while there was only one person in line ahead of me at Frontier.  She had missed the flight too.

I've done this a number of times before.  Usually one of my siblings has to be getting married though.  At least this time, I'm just going for a general visit and Christmas isn't for another five days.

So my new thing obviously wasn't missing my flight.  Instead I went to the Beaverton Bakery Stop place at the airport where I slowly worked on a vanilla latte and enjoyed an episode of Dexter.  I may have missed my flight but it's still my vacation and I will enjoy it to the fullest extent.

What else?
Before checking in, I went to Pizzacato and got a veggie slice.  A couple was fighting there.  The guy stormed off and left the girl calling his name while his pizza got cold.  She waited for about five minutes then left.  She came back with him and he tried to talk to her.  She wouldn't respond to him so he left again but he took his Coke this time and the Pizzacato people quickly offered a To-Go box.  I may have missed my flight but my troubles seem so minimal.  These people are going to board a plane together, presumably next to each other.  Akwaaaard.  I hope they don't end up sitting next to me!

if it wasn't for the last minute, nobody would get presents.

Every year, I think about buying gifts in August or September.  Just once, I want to be able to coast through a December without the needing to go get gifts gripping me constantly.  Each weekend, I've been intending to head down to Saturday Market.  Today was absolutely the last day I could go before I head out of town so I finally made it.

I ended up going to a vendor that I haven't bought anything from before.  I'm counting that as my new thing.  It was a lovely ride though with mild rainfall.  If it hadn't been for the commerce, I think I would have really enjoyed it.  I don't mind giving people gifts but, the truth is, if I want something, I buy it.  I don't have a large abundance of wealth but I'm thrifty enough that I can save for something if I really need or want it.

December has become about the gifts.  I'm not trying to advocate that people remember "the reason for the season" but it sucks to have it all revolve around gifts.  I'm also not a scrooge.  I can enjoy the company of my loved ones just as well as the next person.  To me, it seems like gifting has gotten in the way.

What else?
I talked it over with one of my housemates and we agreed that it would just be best if we didn't buy each other gifts but the adults of the house just went in together to get some appliance for the house that we all want.  That makes the most sense to me.  However, we're also looking at a house on 85th & Alder that rents for the same as our house now and have a lot more room.  Maybe we'll just spend our Christmas money on it instead?

lining em up

Today was all about getting my ducks in a row before I leave for Nebraska.  I didn't have a good current pictures of a duck tho so I thought I'd use this seagull instead.  Since school started, I realize that I haven't done any filing at all which is supposed to be a monthly duty.  I got caught up today, held an individual service plan meeting and sat through two holiday gift exchanges.  I'm ready to get out of here.

I love leaving Portland just so I can come back and love it all over again, rain and all.  Plus now that I'm caught up at work, there won't be this dread hanging over me.  I can truly relax.  I bought a book I need for next quarter yesterday and I plan on reading it on my vacation.  Hot cocoa, snow, a book, family...I need this right now.

What else?
Part of my going away preparations meant touching base with friends.  Sophia and I went to have dinner at Dots and I tried the Garden Burger Border Melt (which was new for me).  It was spicy but I've been in a spicy mood as of late.

i dream of jolie

If you know me, you know I love Fight Club and would sooner swear by it than I would the bible.  You also probably have picked up on the fact that I don't have a whole lot of confidence in myself either.  However, you might not know that I was kissing Brad Pitt last night.

My subconscious is never ever this nice to me.  My dreams usually revolve around some source of stress, like forgetting I have a class or not being able to complete a work assignment.  However, my dreams last night were absolutely wonderful.  Again, I'll repeat that this never happens.

I dreamt that a friend and I were at a lavish indoor pool and Brad and Angelina Jolie were there.  I don't buy into celebrity worship as I feel that worship always leads to disappointment.  However, there they were so I was going to go with it.  I'll leave out a whole lot of the details but Angelina and my friend quickly disappeared once I asserted that this was my dream. ;)

I ended up hanging out with Bradgelina the whole weekend (no kids were there).  Brad wasn't a great kisser but he was a truly lovely guy.  And Angelina was very...open minded.  I'm just amazed that my subconscious said, "Sure, it's completely plausible that Brad Pitt would make out with you."  The only point of stress in the dream came from when I realized nobody was going to believe this and the only camera I could find was my old one which wouldn't take the best photos.

Still, I woke up after the weekend was over and felt completely at peace.  Yesterday at work SUCKED bad so this was a complete karma dream.  I was due.  Hell, if my nights get to be like this, I will suffer through all of the bad days I can get my hands on.

What else?
Work was great.  Compared to yesterday, I had it easy.  I did a lot of running around too, treated myself to my favorite burrito place and got a considerable amount of my Christmas shopping done.

Also, since I was on cloud nine, I headed to the gym.  I put in a great workout, primarily due to the fact that a hottie wanted me to spot for him.  In all of the time I've been going to the gym, a stranger has never asked me to spot for them.  This is a wonderous day.

let live

Tonight, I attended the Let Live Conference at the Matt Dishman Community Center (for the first time) and got to watch a chef from Portobello Vegan Trattoria do a cooking demo.  Compared to everyone there, my cooking skills are WAAAAYY sub-par but it was really cool and inspiring to watch him go.  Plus I learned out a cool and easy way to dice onions.

I'm conflicted about this 'new thing' though.  I've been slacking off on doing new things.  This means I've been counting a new soda or window-shopping in a new store as my new things.  That's why I haven't really been writing a lot.  It just hasn't been that interesting.  I think it's the weather too.  It's been dull, cold and sometimes rainy.

Today, I was determined to do something new that scared me.  I'm not talking about actually piss-myself scared but something that would make me uncomfortable.  I'm actually uncomfortable with being too comfortable.  However, in the end, I wasn't creative or invigorating at all and settled for this event my housemates were going to.  I'm glad I went but I just wish I could have done something more jarring this weekend.  Eh, there's always tomorrow.

What else?
My throat is sore from belting out several songs on Rock Band.  I scared all of the animals out of the room when I sang "Hey Man, Nice Shot," and I was actually bizarrely humbled when Jimi Hendrix came to the stage and I got to sing as him.  Weird.

the zip truck

We got a new couch today.  Our old couches are old, falling apart and smelly so we're due for something new to us.  There was a free futon on craigslist so I checked out my first zip truck and we ran out and picked it up.  Total cost to us: $11.50 and one hour.  Pretty damn sweet.  The truck also had a little screen that popped up on the rear view mirror when I was backing up.  It was kind of surprising and made me want to back up a lot.  Actually, it wasn't just neat but also very functional when I parked it at the end of our trip.

What else?

I went to a training on memory for work.  The problem was, I think the teacher forgot what it was supposed to be on.  That's not just a funny contradiction, it's the truth.  The class was advertised at dealing with memory loss, specifically due to Alzheimers in seniors with DD.  However, it ended up being a quick little class on memory tricks for us.  At the end, someone asked if there are specific stages of Alzheimers and the teacher said, "Oh yes, definitely, that'd be a good training."  Yes, it would have been.  

sweet dancing time

It was time for our annual client dance party again.  It was actually my company's 22nd annual party.  I'm proud to be a part of it and to turn it into what it is.  Ashes and I have really taken control of the party and I think that it's been for the better.  Everybody really seems to have a good time anyway.

Over the past few years, we've developed traditions.  We do the YMCA, I lead everyone in the macarena, we do Christmas carols and this one little lady sings Happy Birthday to her roommate.  It may be repetitious but it saves me from having to download more music.  Also this year we added hopefully a new tradition.  The guy that's not in the picture on my right is singing Sweet Caroline.  It's his turn around song and I will forever love Neil Diamond for it.  This guy can start off grumpy as all hell and I'll put on this song.  By the time he gets to the chorus, he's yelling, "I feel FINE!" and he does feel fine.  Today, we played Sweet Caroline and he agreed to come up on stage and it was wonderful.

What else?
The party ended with a bang...literally.  A co-worker's car was hit.  Another co-worker grabbed me and we ran out the door to go meet up with her.  A drunk driver (at 2 pm!) ran a stop sign and smashed up her front end.  Fortunately, everyone had insurance and she's not in trouble or anything.

believe it or not it's chili

There's vegan chili below that salad.

I've been bored and boring lately. That's why there hasn't been posts for the past week. It's odd not to have the need to study looming over me. I actually have free time. Besides work stuff, I haven't done much with that time. Plus it's been cold & I haven't wanted to leave the house.

However, we have a video showing tonight (Where's Molly?) & a lot of people showed up just for it. I can feel the onset of sickness so I'm combating it with Red & Black's deluxe vegan chili & an orange juice (mixed with champagne). Next step is a steam room if I'm not feeling better by tomorrow.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

it's easy as a.e.d.

CLEAR!

I took my first A.E.D. class today.  This stands for something Electrical Difibulator.  I could easily look it up and find out what the A stands for but I'm not that interested.  Plus, the machine does it all for you so why do I need to know the acronym?  All you have to do is make sure the skin is dry, follow the diagram on the back of the paddles to show where to stick them and turn on the on button.  The machine will decide, based upon the person's heart palpatations if they need to be shocked or not.  If they do, it says, "Push the shock button."  That's relying on technology a bit much but it's good if it can help save lives.

Apparently it's going to be a state-wide and then federal policy, similar to having first aid kits in every business.  They'll have to have these machines there too.  I've taken so many CPR classes in my life.  Now, with my job, I have to have it every year.  I hope I never need to use these skills but you never know.  One of my favorite managers whom I have worked with in a number of different capacities throughout the years saved a small child (who incidentally had swine flu) a few weeks ago.  The kid was in the parent's shopping cart and just stopped breathing so the manager put her up on the counter and started giving her mouth to mouth.  Pretty damn amazing day at work at your thrift store retail job when you can save a toddler's life.

only as straight as the A's

Since when did I start to care about grades so much?  In undergraduate school, the point was just to make it through with a passing grade.  I really didn't care if it was an A or a C.  Now, I need an A.

Actually, I need an A or a B but I want an A.  I got my final back from my policy class and it was a B+.  I'm not arguing that it was wrong or I deserved better because upon looking at it from my teacher's POV, it was indeed a B paper.  However, that means that I am either getting an A- or a B+ in the class based upon attendance (I've been there every class), the midterm (A-) and the final.  I know in my other class I'm getting an A because it's all self-evaluation.  Now, I just want to get through my first semester of grad school with straight A's.

I wasn't too sad to see my policy class end.  However, my culture class, which I think I may have written about almost every Monday for the past nine Mondays will be missed.  I'll miss talking about cultural considerations in such depth and with such guaranteed sensitivity but I will mostly miss my classmates.  I went out for Hot Lips pizza with some of them and tried the Waldorf (blue cheese, apples and walnuts on an olive base) for the first time.  It was outstanding and had blackberry soda on tap.  Mmmmm.

What else?
I had to take another stab at the tech problem from Saturday because apparently it wasn't working right.  However, it didn't take a lot for me to see what was wrong and get it fixed.  Go me!


Portland had an outbreak of e-coli over the weekend in the water on the westside.  Fortunately, I live and work on the eastside.  Unfortunately, school is on the westside.  While over there, I was cautious of washing my hands and drinking the water even though they said it was all better by Sunday evening.

I found out that the guy I sat by in each culture class is also going to be in one of my classes next quarter.  Hooray!

reconnection's made

It appears that a lot of friends are in a transitionary stage right now.  I feel that I'm there too so it's good that we all have each other.

This afternoon, I went on a long walk with a friend that I have not seen in a while and have not had the chance to really talk with for a while.  Dean and I then walked home from Mt Tabor (not new but still significant).  Then later on in the evening, I went and had a few drinks at the pub with another friend that I have lost touch with over the past few weeks.  While at the pub, I sampled "Hemp Ale" which tasted like PBR.  Still, it was my new thing.  More importantly though, I got to experience some not-so-new but recently forgotten moments with friends.  With as busy as we all are, I think that it's important to really dialogue with valued friends from time to time, if for no other reason than it helps you connect the dots and see what your life is looking like at the time being.

tech skillz

Today, I explored a little new realm as far as tech work goes.  I have learned html by going through other's work before me and applying it to what I am doing.  In other words, I copy.  Today, I worked on the imc radio archive.  It may not seem like much but it's been completely foreign territory to me so it definetely counts as my new thing.  It's also something that I've been meaning to do for some time and, since I've finished the last of my papers last night, I figured it was time to start on my out-of-school-to-do list.  Next, I think I'll work on my loft.

What else?
I watched the movie, "The Music Within."  It stars the star of Office Space and it's about people with disabilities so it's been on a co-worker's radar for a while now.  After seeing it, I'm disappointed with myself for not having watched it sooner.  It's a funny, heart-warming and honest true story.  Plus it's set at PSU.

harvest dinner 09

I took the easy route this year with Harvest Dinner.  Last year, I made a (s)ham log and cheesecakes the four years before that.  But I've noticed that we're always missing staples of a typical harvest dinner: Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy.  Sounds difficult but I went all instant (while still vegan) and made it all within 15 minutes. :)

It was a good turnout.  I'm estimating that we had between 35-40 people here and it wasn't the same people that come every year.  I was a little disappointed that I didn't see everyone I usually do but the point is that everyone has somewhere to go. 

prep work

Throwing a harvest dinner together may seem easy but, man, is it stressful...usually.

This year, I'm not feeling the stress.  I headed out tonight, at the next-to-last minute to get something to make both for dinner tonight and as my part of the harvest dinner.  Normally, the grocery stores on this night would be enough for me to curse humanity but it was all easy this year.  I was completely sober but also completely patient.  I really didn't care if I had to wait in long lines.  I guess that's the joy of buying instant food to make for tomorrow.  There's no worry about prep work.

Anyway, for tonight, I bought some new fake chicken patties at New Seasons.  It's not a great new thing but the name of the blog isn't just one great new thing, now is it? :) 

man in motion

You know, I'm gonna miss this.

Erick, one of my classmates, invited me to Hot Lips Pizza (for my 1st visit) across the street from our two classes for a beer.  We also invited Ang, other girl I like but can't remember her name and Sammy.  We sat at a round table over our pints and juices and talked about classes and such.  It was like St Elmo's Fire except I was the only identified-white guy at the table, at least two of us were queer and nobody there is hooking up. :)

I come from a small school so it's only natural that I would want to circle the wagons and knit a tight group together so we can survive the next two-three years together.  However, there are over a hundred freshman and we all can't be in the same classes.

Am I over-sentimental?  At least it bodes well for my recovery from misanthropy.  I like these people and I haven't really known them that long.  I think there's hope for me yet. :)

sundays in November

With my paper out of the way, I spent the day taking it easy.  When you see sun in a Portland November, it's something special too.  There was no way I could spend the day inside studying.  I took Dean for a walk to Trader Joe's with no other purpose than to drink their coffee samples.  As I said, it was an easy day so there was no need for vast amounts of caffeine.

I also went along on an errand run with Ashes that led me to Bamboo Grove where they were having an herbalist workshop.  And I thought I was mellow. :)  Anyway, that was my new thing, going there.

the t-virus

Virus's suck!

I woke up this morning to a loud alarm siren.  My computer had a virus.  I opened it up, told me anti-virus software to take care of it and went back to bed.

When I got back up, my computer was playing an interview from one of the actors in the new Twilight movie.  However, I didn't actually have any browser open at that time.  I finally saw that there were a hundred or so of the damn interviews open!  Argh!  Stupid teenage vampires!  When I tried to close it and shut down the software, it froze my computer and I had to start it in safe mode.

After lamenting about what I was going to do if it tried to take all 12 gb of my music, I started to fight back tonight.  I restored my system and disabled my internet explorer so it wouldn't open again.  It's the first time I've fought back a virus on my own (with some help from Yahoo answers).  Take that, undead douches!

What else?
So I realize that I'm not blogging as much because my new thing isn't always that fun to write about or take pictures of.  However, I update facebook and twitter at least daily.  Therefore, I must have something else to say.  I've decided to add a 'what else' section to my blog so I use it more and the social networking sites a little less.

Tonight, I also finished my Policy paper!  YAY!  I got an A- on the midterm which was basically a simplified version of the final paper so I think that I was off to the right foot.  I had a co-worker read it yesterday and I made the appropriate changes.  It's done!

Also, while I stayed home and worked on saving my computer from the virus, I watched 'Into the Wild.'  If I didn't have a dog, school and a job I like, I'd be right there.  Loved it.

MAXimum efficiency

Today is a good day.
I was up til 1AM last night, working on my policy paper. I intended on calling in "sick" today but there are a few things I need to do first. Then I'll go home early. One of those things is ride the green MAX line for the first time.
As far as Portland November days go, it's a beautiful day so I biked into work. I them headed downtown to visit my store there. Originally, I planned on taking my bike on the bus & going to the Powell store from there but then I remembered the Green line.
The new MAX line picks up downtown and has a drop-off point a few quick blocks from the Powell store. Hell, it goes all the way out to my Clackamas store if I want to ride it that far!
Despite my tiredness, the thought of biking and using mass transit to do all four (my Broadway site too) store visits has invigorated me! I'm also writing this post via BlackBerry on the MAX. Oh happy day!

the question of emphasis

Excuse the bad picture but it wasn't really the place to whip out the camera.  It was a forum on the criminal 'justice' system that was required of all policy classes.  There were four speakers that again solidified my passion for social work and at the same time made me wonder what the hell I'm doing here.

I'm not questioning if I belong in this program but I'm questioning where exactly I belong.  There are three emphasis's an MSW can choose from: Community organizing, Direct human care or Administrative.  I originally came into it thinking that I would go into direct human care.  I love working one on one with people so it just makes the most sense.  However, you can affect more change by doing working with the policy (the administrative side).  I haven't really given much thought to the community organizing because that's what I do in my spare time.  Wayne Ford was on the panel though and he spoke passionately about community organizing and a former Queer Rev ally is also thinking of going with the community organizing emphasis.

The good news is that I don't have to declare my emphasis until my second year so I have some time to think it over (and change my mind over and over again.)

homomentous

Tonight was the second installment of Homomentum. I liked it better than the last Homomentum and perhaps as much as Homo's Got Talent. (Really, they're not that different though.) Cattitude was again one of my favorite performances. One of their members recently lost a cat so they did a tribute to them, again with one of them dressed like a human and the other like a cat. This time, they had a routine to "My Heart Will Go On," complete with using a hair dryer to convey the wind-blown 'King of the World' moment. I love queer culture sometimes.

The other performance of a repeat troupe was the people who did the dinosaur rave last time. They performed an ode to the original lesbians, using a Xena costume and an axe guitar. It was outstanding. I didn't get a good pic of it because I was cheering so hard but I did somehow get a small small video clip of it.

However, like I said, this really wasn't new. My new thing was the after-party and the celebration of my co-worker Greg's birthday at the Basement Pub. They have a lot of board games there for patrons to play. I think I'll head back with some people one of these days in search of a low-key afternoon/evening.

the search party

Last night, I went looking for my friend's friend who I mentioned yesterday.  It turns out that there was newly found evidence that indicated he may be alive still after missing for three days.

I know the man in question.  I've met him at various holiday functions at our house and others' houses.  He's greatly involved in the biking community.  While I've known him for years, I'd really only consider him an acquaintance.  However, I'd like to get to know him better, especially after reading his letter.

Without knowing what else to do, several of his friends got together tonight to brainstorm what to do.  It ended up with me going out with some friends to look for him.  Trying to find someone in town with very little clues is like searching for the proverbial needle.  He was the needle and the section of the haystack we chose was Kelly Point Park.

Kelly Point is the convergence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers just outside Portland.  Apparently, it's bike-accessible and it'd be a symbolic place to kill yourself.  We were out past midnight.  After eight of us went to Kelly Point (and were unsuccessful) we headed back into town to search the bridges.  We went home with only the reassurance that he wasn't at one of those few places.

Today, I got a message, saying he had returned home safe and sound.  It's shocking.  I'm surprised but absolutely thrilled that there was a happy end to these events.

give me something to sign about

I found out yesterday that one of my friend's friends left a suicide note on his blog and went missing.  I read it today.  It's more like a suicide manifesto.

While I agree with most of the things that he said (cars suck, the planet's going to hell, we're all doomed), I still don't see suicide as an option.

I admit that it's crossed my mind a time or two but so does using a sonic blast to blow out all of the windows in my work's hallway while I fight off an evil superhero.  Lots of things go through my mind.  It's when thoughts are dwelt on and carried to action that people need to be concerned.

This guy's note was pretty much accurate but it had a different impact on me.  It made me want to do more.  If everyone who was socially aware, believed we needed to recycle more and ride our bikes instead of drive gave up out of despair, there would be no hope.

Personally, if it gets to that point for me ever, I will just pack up my bags and start anew somewhere.  This world holds a lot of messed up people and scenarios but there is also a whole lot of new precious experiences out there.  If this one's not working for you, change your environment literally.

Today, I found a lot of beauty in the little things that I usually overlook.  I wish my friend's friend had had the opportunity to see things this way.

intro to protests

Today I met four new guys.  They happened upon a video showing at the Red and Black of the G20 protest footage.  It was nice because we are so often preaching to the choir, especially at the Red and Black.  However, these guys had never been to a protest, especially a protest-gone-bad so it was nice to be able to contribute to their education.  Who knows if they'll actually pursue activism but at least they have a new perspective now.

The house of cards was Raven's work during the meeting.

we're in this together

I hope that the next two and a half years are as welcoming as school is now, particularly with my classmates.  There's this great feeling of comradery there.  We can relate to each other even though we are all coming from different places and pursuing different interests in the broad spectrum that is social work.  It's nice.

Today, I walked with some classmates from one class to the next while we discussed problematic theories in SW.  I know it sounds like a weak new thing but it was really cool.  Normally, after my first class, I run off and do some errand or have some alone time for 40 minutes until my next class.  However, today we carried  a conversation to the next class.  Academia can be a real snoozer for me but we brought up some interesting ethical dilemmas which I love processing through with people.

Also, I went to a new thai cart today because I had a mad craving for veggie spring rolls.  I was actually hungry for Vege Thai's fake ham spring rolls but Thai Express on 4th had tofu spring rolls for just a buck.  I know I'll be heading back there!

breakfast at bob's

I had breakfast of biscuits and gravy at Bob's Red Mill.  Not much to say about it.  It's my new thing though.

port city

This is my life now.  I work in social work services, I go to school for social work services and now, I spend my Friday evenings going to hear about social work services.

Helping people with developmental disabilities is something that I am very interested in.  To paraphrase the military, it's more than a career.  Port City was having art showing and speaker tonight.  Port City runs a program that I am really interested in, Project Grow.  Project Grow is their Alternative To Employment but they don't do what we do at my work.  They garden, they raise goats and chickens and do great art projects.  It's pretty amazing.

I want my work's program to do better.  I've made no secret to my boss that I want to eventually be running that department.  When it's mine someday, I will use Port City as an example to gradually build up our program.

Also at tonight's event, there was a speaker from a self advocacy group for people with developmental disabilities.  It was great to hear someone speak up for themselves and declare what they want and how others can help them.  They also had a panel discussion about services for people with DD need improvement.

It's great to see these agencies in place and it's cool that people are questioning the existing systems.

school gays

When I got accepted to school, I hoped to meet some good people in my classes and perhaps some good gays.  Today, I thought it was more likely to happen as we had a LGBTQ affinity group for the social work program.  However, like most other queer groups I've been involved with in Portland, I was a little disappointed.

In Queer Revolution, I was often the only gay guy there.  Initially, there were more gay guys but, after its initial inception, there was only one other identified male and me.  There were always a lot of lesbians, some gender queers and then a gay guy or two.

Portland's weird.  There is definitely a greater lesbian than gay population here.  However, there are more gay bars by far.  It's cool though since I generally feel more comfortable around lesbians and, generally speaking, the lesbians I know tend to be a lot more radical than the gay guys.

At the meeting today, I met some new people, ran into some old comrades from QR and found out some people that I had met in orientation and class are queer (to be more accurate, lesbians).  It was nice to feel even more comfortable in school.  I just wanna know where the boys are.

P.S. The picture is from Ground Kontrol.  I was looking for a really gay picture on-line but I realized that I already had one from the side of one of their games.

three fish for fish, i want more fish

Pressed for one new thing before I settle in for the night, I elected to get the Three 'Fish' dish at Vegi Thai. I miss fish. Being raised catholic, I ate a lot of tuna.  One of the first things I learned how to make for myself was a tuna salad sandwich.

Tofuna sucks though and actually this meal didn't really remind me of fish either. I could be piscatarian if I wanted to but I can't stomach the idea of eating white fish, especially after what Wendy told me.
 
Years ago, she lived in a fishing community & saw a lot of fish laid in the sun by fishermen. The fish were still wiggling so she thought they were alive. It turns out that all fish have worms in them that have to die off. Eww. I'll take my bad fish knock offs, thank you.

this is halloween

This is hardly a new thing by now but I love Halloween.  We went trick or treating in the same neighborhood with the same group of kids and adults.  Still, I wouldn't have it any other way.  If I had to choose a new thing, I would be riding back from the video store with Dom (after renting the Exorcism of Emily Rose) with a flat tire or possibly asking a trick or treater if I could get a picture of them.  The girl in the picture below had the best costume and she had thought of it herself.