Meg's Blog

Welcome home, Carter

2010-08-26T09:27:00.001-07:00

It's been a year since I last posted--a very eventful year ...

July 2009
I finished my first half-Ironman race

August 2009
Cait and Liz got married in a BEAUTIFUL ceremony on Mount Hood

October 2009
Bill and I traveled to North Carolina to attend my cousin's wedding

October 2009
Bill and I found out we were pregnant (likely a side effect of the NC trip)

February 2010
We went to Hawaii for one last childless vacation

June 2010
Bill completed his second marathon in Newport, OR

June 26, 2010
My due date came and went

July 2, 2010
After 4 days of early labor and 27 hours of active labor, we welcomed Carter James Anderson (all 10 lbs, 13 oz and 22 inches of him) into this world!

Next week Carter will be 2 months old. It's been a trip watching him grow from a bundle of tears and poop to a smiling, wriggling, cooing bundle of tears and poop. We are in love with our little guy; so in love, in fact, that we hope to create a blog soon in his name. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, here are some photos of the little thwump.

Aloha, Kaimana

2009-08-09T16:11:00.001-07:00

Last weekend we said goodbye to the sweetest, most gentle dog that has ever touched my family's lives.

Kaimana ("ocean spirit" in Hawaiian) came to me when I was 22 and working at my first "real" job as a copy editor in Vallejo, CA. My mom and sister brought him down from Oregon to be my companion in my strange, new town. He was a handful, and being 22, I wasn't ready for him. I spent long days at work, and he routinely broke free from my little yard in Benicia. I'd get calls telling me to pick him up from the grocery store (yes, INSIDE the store), or from an elementary school playground (he was a hit with the kids). At 3 months old and already 50-60 lbs, at first sight he was an intimidating Newfoundland-Lab.
We went to class after class of obedience school, and I spent hours training him. He became a very obedient dog--about 95% of the time. I could even walk him off leash, and trust him to stick around if I went into Starbucks for a minute.

Regardless, after about 6 months, I decided I couldn't be a good mother to him and trucked him back up to Oregon. I spent the drive in tears, sad to abandon my wonderful pup, but I couldn't give him the attention he needed. My parents offered to take him in (my mom had wanted to keep him from the get-go!), and they could provide two other dogs to be his companion, as well as a large yard and the McKenzie River. He would be happy there.

My parents became Kai's parents, and provided a wonderful home for him. He was spoiled like a grandchild should be spoiled, but he stayed sweet and (almost) obedient as ever. When I moved to Hawaii, I considered taking Kai with me, but the prospect of hand-building a crate to house his 140-lb body on the plane, and then quarantining him for months, made me change my mind.

Kai spent the rest of his life in Eugene, and then in Waldport, on the coast. As he got older, his legs had more and more trouble supporting his body. He developed other problems, including incontinence. My parents covered the house in towels, learning to predict his bathroom needs, but spending a lot of time cleaning up after Kai. Even though Kai wagged his tail and rolled over when I would visit, he could no longer jump up to greet me at the door. His mind wanted so much more than his body could provide. Though my parents did all they could to make Kai comfortable, his quality of life was nonexistent.

After months and months of deliberation, he was put to rest at home with his parents. I was not there, and I can only imagine what they went through, knowing the grief I felt when he passed. The house must have seemed so empty.

But we all know he truly is in a better place, with the other Upshaw dogs, Bogie and Sam, swimming in the river, chasing tennis balls, and dropping that nasty, slobbery stick in someone else's hot tub. And I hope that someone else is providing a knee for him to lie his head on, looking up to with those big eyes. I love you Kai, and will never forget you ...

Yet Another Thing I Hate About Working for "The Man"

2009-07-27T11:29:00.001-07:00

"With temperatures rising this week, it's important to remember the parameters of appropriate dress as outlined in the company's personal appearance policy. Employees have been observed wearing shorts and flip-flop shoes. For clarification, shorts are not appropriate for work. While capri pants are considered acceptable, shorts that are at or above the knee are not permitted. Additionally, flip-flop shoes are not allowed. For a complete list of clothing that is considered inappropriate for the work environment, please refer to the personal appearance policy in the Employee Handbook located on the Employee Portal."

1. Notice that you are NOT restricted from wearing short skirts ... (I wonder who wrote this stuff)

2. WHO CARES?!?!

5 Days Till Race Day

2009-07-15T10:22:00.001-07:00

Five days from now I will "race" (possibly just endure?) my first half-Ironman. I am 30% nervous and 70% excited. What if I forget something? What if I run out of calories on the bike or run? What if I get dehydrated? What if I get a flat? Or, worst case, what if my mind decides (probably due to lack of calories!) that I just can't go any farther?
I guess the bottom line is I have to trust all the training, and trust that my coach did all she could to prepare me to be successful. We both know I am no Chrissie Wellington, but we also know that I have put in a lot of hours and have what it takes to exercise at a moderate intensity for 6 hours. I know that my body is capable of finishing.
That said, I am looking forward to the adventure, and all the adventures that follow (particularly, those that involve much-deserved sloth and gluttony)!

I'm Alive!

2009-06-08T19:12:00.001-07:00

Boise

2009-04-24T08:25:00.001-07:00

Bill and I went to Boise for the annual Race to Robie Creek. Because I don't feel like writing, here is my photo essay! : )

Doug, Ann, Lisel, and random toddler aboard the bouncy rubber ring thing. SO much fun.

At the race start; Bill in middle with visor.

Michael and Olivia.

Trouble ...

Troublemaker

Previously on Lost ... Or, What's Going On with Us

2009-04-08T21:18:00.001-07:00

It's been a hectic, but fun, time in the Anderson household.

Two weeks ago we started our raised-bed vegetable garden, using the Square Foot Gardening method. We planted lettuce, onions, broccoli, cauliflower ... And we still have tons of stuff to plant. With the unpredictable weather, it was a hassle finding the time to build the beds, mix the soil, and plant, but we are almost there.

Bill's parents were in town the past two weekends as they drove to/from Ashland from their Montana home. It was a lot of fun. This past weekend, we visited the Oregon Garden--albeit a couple weeks early for the spring bloom. Spring seems to be late this year.

We received our couch, finally. For those of you who have visited and noticed the gaping emptiness in the living room, you will now have a place to sit.

I've also been occupied with my triathlon training, which is going really well. The most noticeable improvement--I am not as tired as I used to be! My running will soon be back on track, as I received my orthotics today. I'm only running 12-15 miles a week now to reduce risk of injury, but we should be able to increase that once I break the orthotics in. I am cycling about 5 hours a week--some on the trainer, and some on the road. I am learning that I don't have to ride at 80% all the time, and can ride at 50% and still continue to get stronger. I am swimming 7000-9000 yards a week, and just started incorporating longer interval sets. Except for the early hour at which I must swim to avoid the pool crowd, it is still my favorite sport!

I also started "Athletes' Yoga", which has so far been great. The instructor has incredible knowledge of the body, particularly of endurance athletes' bodies. He knows what ails us, and how to use yoga to lengthen and stretch those trouble spots. Yes, it's one more thing to do in the week, but it's a welcome and peaceful change.

I have had my down weeks of feeling sluggish and unmotivated, and questioning why I devote so much time to this, but those are becoming fewer and farther between as I get stronger and realize I might *actually* make it through the race in July! I can't thank enough my friends who have been very patient with me saying no to happy hours and late nights ... and most social activity altogether! I hope you can remain patient for a few more months.

At the urging of my coach and others, I tried chicken again. It's fair to state that keeping up with my body's calorie demands is no small chore. I am constantly eating. But it's getting the right calories (i.e. efficient protein sources) that is the tough part. So I'm hoping chicken can become a semi-regular part of my diet.

Bill and I will be heading to Boise on April 17th for his annual Race to Robie Creek 1/2 marathon. He's also been putting a lot of hours into training (watch out, Michael!).

Work is getting incredibly busy, which is why I must finish this post so I can get up early, get to work, work out after work, eat, get back to bed, and start over again the next day. : )

Why-o Why-o

2009-03-16T16:31:00.001-07:00

Did I ever leave Hawaii (...-o)? This weather is the pits. The upside? I am not bummed about having to work late ... If that can be called an upside.

Bail Me Out

2009-03-09T12:50:00.001-07:00

My company just announced across-the-board pay cuts and an end to the 401k match. I guess it's better than losing my job, right?

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idINN0947645620090309?rpc=44

Older

2009-03-05T09:07:00.003-08:00

Yesterday was my birthday! It was a very good birthday, one that made me realize how much I have changed since my 20s: I wanted nothing more yesterday than a quiet evening at home. And, if you don't count the boisterous "Jenga!" yells, I got just that. Bill cooked dinner for me, Cait, and Liz, and then we sat down for some Jenga and Who, What, Where--the best game ever.

I'd like to thank everyone for their generous gifts, too! I don't want to list them all here for fear of forgetting something, and as cheesy as it sounds, the best gift was being able to hang out with my closest friends and family.

The picture here is of the beautiful bag my mother-in-law made me. She remembered our trip to the Seeley Lake (MT) quilt store, and all the fabrics/patterns I loved. Such a thoughtful gift!

Thanks all!

Buy Buy Buy!

2009-03-03T11:58:00.003-08:00

Make some money (someday) and save a job ... : )

Latest Updates

2009-02-08T16:59:00.000-08:00

I have been slacking, again, on the blog front. Most of it is because I have been crazy busy. Some highlights (photos below):

Lots of great weekend rides with friends, from 30-50 miles. It's amazing how much of Oregon you miss when you're in a car (like the horse chasing us along a fence as we cruised by in rural Oregon City).
I am back in the pool as part of half-Ironman training--oh how I missed swimming!
I've become a semi-morning person, sometimes waking at 5:30 to be in the pool by 6. The water aerobics ladies can time their watches by me.
Bill has been very supportive throughout my training--he is at the grocery store now because I am too tired to go. He deals with the early alarm clock, trudges through my slow long runs, and gets up early on Saturdays to brave our cold bike rides. I'm a lucky girl!
Lots of changes at work. The freight business is not exactly lucrative these days, and we are still wary of possible layoffs, but I keep busy writing training.
My sister found THE wedding dress. She looks so beautiful, and we can't wait till August. (I might add that it is such a relief to not have to be the one trying on a dozen dresses!) (Cait asked me to add that the dress in the pic below is NOT "the dress", and Liz will not be dressed like that in the wedding ... heh)
My parents' dog, Kai, whom I raised for the first year of his life before I moved to Hawaii, is on his last legs. We will have to put him down soon. I am of course incredibly sad about it, but he is miserable. I am confident there is a doggie heaven for him.

Is it possible to die from cuteness overload?

2009-01-08T12:46:00.000-08:00

From the website www.cutethingsfallingasleep.org. Out of control.

(Note: I had to switch over to Explorer from Firefox for the videos to play.)

Christmas

2009-01-04T16:13:00.001-08:00

Bill and I had a wonderful holiday season, though for some reason, it didn't feel as "Christmas-y" as years past. You'd think with all the snow we had on the ground (13+ inches), it would have, but I think the economy and financial fears dampened spirits a bit.

We spent "pre-Christmas" with my side of the family, enjoying a potluck dinner at our house with my parents, my sister, and her fiancee. My sister generously donated gifts of time that will also benefit others; Cait and I are volunteering at a cat shelter next month. My mother made me the most beautiful apron, which will come in so useful (do I sound like I am from the 50s? I love it.). My parents stayed with us that night, and the next day, we saw them off on the first day of Arctic Blast 2008. Fortunately, they made it home safely!

A week or so and several inches of snow later, Bill and I headed to Missoula, MT, to spend Christmas with his parents. We had a great time--Bill got in his annual football game with his (so they believe) non-aging friends. We even got to visit Seeley Lake, seriously the Normal Rockwell picture of the holidays, on our last night there. But for the most part, we stayed in out of the cold and played Wii. His parents can bowl!

Vineman 70.3

2008-12-16T20:03:00.001-08:00

Today I registered for the Vineman 70.3 (half-Ironman) in July 2009. It was, justifiably, very difficult to click the Submit button on the registration form. Having only done an Olympic and several sprints, I can't imagine racing for 6 or so hours straight, but I think my new coach will get me there!

Now, to solve the problem of finding a place to stay that weekend ... The race is in wine country in the height of summer; hotels can get away with murder. If worse comes to worst, we will stay in the tent trailer. Talk about ghetto.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-30T20:54:00.000-08:00

We had a nice Thanksgiving in Waldport with my parents, my sister, and her fiancee. The highlight of the weekend--aside from the amazing dinner--was an 8-mile beach walk from Waldport to Yachats. It beat us up and made us run for the nearest pub, but it was a refreshing way to work off Thursday's calories.
I'm so thankful for my wonderful family, and for my sister's fiancee, Liz, who makes Caitlin so happy.
I am also thankful for Kai, my parents' dog (formerly my dog), who probably won't make it to another Thanksgiving. He was with me through some hard times in my life.
This year, I am especially thankful for my sweet and patient husband. Our first Thanksgiving as husband and wife was not perfect, but we're closer for it.

Hail to the Redskins

2008-11-25T11:48:00.000-08:00

My "home team" won a kind-of-sad battle against the Seattle Seahawks. It wasn't exactly a game for the record books, but it was fun. I didn't even suffer much harassment from Seahawks fans when I sported my homemade (thanks, sis) Redskins hat.

It's Been a While ...

2008-11-09T11:49:00.001-08:00

I know it has been FORever since I updated my blog. Since that triathlon, I've gotten married, honeymooned in Thailand, and voted for our President elect ... Woohoo!

Because I have fallen so far behind, I will simply direct you to my "photo diaries," which will recall the memories much better than my own brain. :)

Wedding: http://www.flickr.com/groups/897328@N21/

Honeymoon: http://www.flickr.com/groups/860699@N24/

Scanned family photos (mom's side), some dating back to the 19th century. Photo above is my mom as a toddler with my Grandma Margaret: http://www.flickr.com/photos/megupshaw/sets/72157608371192273/

Bill's and my visit to my parents' house in Waldport: http://www.flickr.com/photos/megupshaw/sets/72157608539782571/

Midsummer Triathlon

2008-08-04T08:10:00.000-07:00

Bill did his first tri yesterday--it was so awesome to see him not only survive the 880m swim, but not do too badly in it. His bike and run were, of course, great. I will let him tell you the story on his blog, when it's updated.

I won my first gold medal in my age group, but that has to be qualified: There was one woman faster than me (9 minutes faster!) who won the overall women's title. Because she won that, she couldn't also win age group. So I got it. It's cool nonetheless!

My wave went first, and I had a good swim. Being in the first wave and one of the first 10 or so people out of the water, the bike course was nice and empty. I managed 19mph out Marine Drive, and around 20 back. The run felt not-so-hot, as my legs didn't seem to want to move very fast. Maybe I should have done more bricks? : ) I averaged about 30s/mile slower than I'd hoped to.

Anyway, it was a ton of fun, and great to do it with Bill. I'm hoping to do some more sprints next year--and drag him along with me.

Results
My photos

I'm a Gardener! (maybe?)

2008-07-27T20:19:00.001-07:00

Bill and I planted some zucchini, lettuce, and tomatoes today ... I know it's late in the season, but I'm willing to take the risk for yummy, fresh veggies!

Back in the Pool

2008-07-27T20:10:00.000-07:00

I swam with my former team for the first time in more than a year yesterday. I'd been missing them since I had lunch last week with my friend and former teammate Shauna (who's 9 months pregnant and still swimming 5 times a week).

While the practice definitely kicked my butt at twice the distance as what I am used to swimming, it was a lot of fun. The Mount Hood Community College Pool is beautiful--Olympic-sized, outdoors, and crystal clear. The only problem: it's in Gresham, 20 miles away. Regardless, I hope to get out there more after the honeymoon!

Goat Rocks Wilderness Trip

2008-07-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went backpacking in the Goat Rocks Wilderness north of Mount Adams. It was beautiful up there, and we had a blast! Next time we'll remember crampons. : )

Catching Up ...

2008-07-13T10:06:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted since Pole Pedal Paddle, so I figured I should catch up ...

June

No, they aren't hippies ...

Bill and I spent Father's Day on the coast with my dad (duh) and mom, hanging out at their home in Waldport, and hiking trails around Cape Perpetua. My mom and I even got a pseudo-Mother's Day in with a day at the spa on Saturday.
Happy Father's Day, daddy! I couldn't have asked for a better father and role model--love you.

Photos from the hike here.

July

Fun with chickens

We headed to Ashland for July 4th to visit Bill's Uncle Steve and Aunt Kari, and grandparents. I'd never met his maternal grandparents, and we figured I probably should before the wedding. They are really cool people--it made us realize how much has changed over the past couple generations. Bill's grandparents don't use computers, and his grandfather (in his early 90s) still spends the day working in the garden and maintaining the land. Both they and Bill's aunt and uncle live partially off the land--growing their own produce and eating fresh eggs, thanks to the handful of chickens they keep. Kari tried to convince us to get our own chickens--I was not hard to convince, but Bill was hesitant to devote part of our land to a chicken coop.
Anyway, we had a nice weekend of sunning by Steve and Kari's pool, BBQing, and hiking (Kari and me) and flying (Steve and Bill).
Bill's post here.
More of my photos here.

Velodroming

That's Kevin in the upper right

Bill, Mark, Kevin and Yvette tried track racing at the Alpenrose Velodrome last week. They seemed to catch on quickly, and all had smiles on their faces afterward. I was the official photographer, as I don't feel the attraction to track racing--45-degree slopes on the turns and fixed gears?? No thanks. I'll keep my gears and pavement. : )
Bill's post here.
Kevin's post here.
More photos here.

Pole Pedal Paddle

2008-05-18T19:46:00.000-07:00

Sadly, this wasn't one of my teammates ...

We had a great weekend in Bend for Pole Pedal Paddle. The heat was intense (topping 100 at some points), but we all managed to avoid heatstroke.
Bill and I joined two separate teams made up of his friends. I was the cyclist on my team, and Bill the runner on his. I think it would be childish to mention my team beat his by 13 minutes, so I won't ... ; )

Photos here!

Triathlon Report

2008-05-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

Here ...

It's Official!

2008-04-18T20:29:00.000-07:00

I now have the key to our new home. While I am SO excited, I was sad I didn't get to celebrate with Bill, who is in Boise this weekend running a half-marathon. But, thanks to our lovely realtor and her kind wine gift, we will be celebrating in style when Bill returns!

Homeowner ... Times Two

2008-04-04T10:43:00.000-07:00

Everything has come together with our future home at 7512 SW 49th, and we are basically in the door. The inspection is Monday and we will get the key in 3 weeks! Bill's post and photos here.

A couple weeks ago, we refinanced our current house, which makes me co-owner of our little house on London Court. I went from essentially debt-free to owning two houses in two weeks. Maybe I should start acting like an adult? ; )

Speaking of acting like an adult, I meant to explain the title of my last post, "Let Meow't." Bill and I came across a cat door with that brand name at the pet store and thought it hilarious. Website here: http://www.letmeowt.com/

Let Meow't

2008-03-31T21:01:00.000-07:00

It runs in the family, I guess ...

I haven't blogged in a while because I have been insanely busy, and I like to spend what little time I have NOT on the computer (unlike some people I know, who consider the computer relaxing--WTF?).

Wedding
We have a DJ, caterer, possible wedding invitations, and a potential florist. I also have my dress (YAY!). Other than that, all we need is an officiant and music for the ceremony. Anyone know a good string quartet?

House
We've been seriously house-hunting for about a month now. We have a potential winner near Multnomah Village, but haven't yet made an offer. After some ventures into the eastside market, we're pretty set on living on the westside. I never thought I'd say it, but the westside feels like home to me now!

Sports 'n' Stuff
On top of all of the above, I am registered for two triathlons this summer, and am possibly adding a third. I'm doing 1-2 workouts 6 days a week these days, including a Masters swim class at PCC. Bill also joined the class to get in shape for his first triathlon on August 3rd. I'm excited to get to train with him, as it's hard to leave each other behind in a 25-yard pool. Cycling and running, on the other hand ...
In addition to his first tri, Bill is running the Race for Robie in Boise in a few weeks, and cycling a relay race in June.
I am also signed up to volunteer for the Community Cycling Center with the Women's Urban Riding workshops as a ride leader/assistant. It starts in late April on Wednesday nights, if anyone is interested!

Work
I do actually work at work, but more important, I and four others at Con-way are leading a bike commuting program at work. We have Con-way jerseys on the way, and 82 people signed up to commute by bike as much as possible. The company is even expanding its bike parking. Who says a trucking company can't go green?

That's about it ... I can honestly say Bill and I will truly, truly deserve our honeymoon after this summer is over!

On the road again

2008-02-03T10:07:00.000-08:00

Not really "again," as I haven't traveled for work in almost 6 months. This time it's not directly work-related, but a training conference in Atlanta. The weather should be decent; at least more decent than 40 degrees and slushy. Last time I was in Atlanta, it was for work, and I was there less than 24 hours. And that entailed shuttling between the outskirts where the Con-way service center was, and our hotel near the airport. This time I will be staying downtown--I'm hoping to experience culinary delights that don't involve servers with "flair" or all-you-can eat buffets.
The best part is, I will see my college friend Mellony, who is making the quick flight from Raleigh, NC, to visit me. We may check out Martin Luther King Jr.'s gravesite, or check out the largest aquarium in the world. And if I run into Ludacris or Outkast, I am inviting them to the wedding.

I'm a fiancee! (Cooool ...)

2008-01-20T17:34:00.000-08:00

And here I thought we were just taking another ski trip to Ski Bowl--a regular weekend event--but I was pleasantly surprised to find Bill had other plans.
I started to realize something was up when Bill got a little too annoyed that there was a huge crowd and several race courses set up right where we had our first kiss, under the Cascade chair. I was thinking "geez, we'll just ski another run," but Bill seemed a little put out. However, we proceeded to ski down the run right next to "first kiss run." Not to be put out by a little ski race, Bill stopped partway down, stepped out of his skis, and got down on one knee. I was already freaking out at this point, and it took me several seconds to say "of course!" But I managed to get it out, right before about a hundred ski racers descended behind Bill.
Unfortunately, I had to cover up my new beautiful ring with gloves, but not for long. We headed straight for the Warming Hut to celebrate.
Still in shock with a perma-grin as we left the mountain, Bill managed to convince me that I was disoriented when we left the parking lot heading the wrong way--toward Hood River. I soon realized I was not disoriented, and we were indeed headed toward Hood River.
When we arrived, I found he had booked a room in a bed and breakfast, and had somehow managed to pack clothes for me without me noticing (though I had been searching for my sweater the previous evening ... hmm). When we got up to the room, there was a bottle of champagne waiting for us! We went through the bottle, and then walked downtown for a nice dinner. Breakfast this morning was amazing, and it snowed outside while we ate. A perfect weekend!
I'm incredibly lucky to be able to share my life with Bill. He's been everything I've always wanted and more, and I'm looking forward to every moment of our future together!

More photos here.
Bill's photos here.
Bill's blog post here.

Oh ya, and ...

I'm a Slacker

2008-01-11T11:54:00.000-08:00

Kai boy on Christmas

I haven't posted in a long time. I've been busy with life, and very busy at work. Thanks, Liz, for reminding (chastising) me!
Hmm what's happened in the last two months? Three major holidays, that's about it. Check my photos for a recap; all in all, it was a great holiday season. Tons of family time with both the Anderson side and the Upshaw side, and even some friend time on New Years, when we hosted a game night. We all started to realize how old we were getting when some of us (not naming names) were ready to go to bed at 11.
Anyway, it's back to the grind for a while. I'm busy at work, preparing for two upcoming trips. Bill and I are getting in as much skiing as we can on weekends.
There's the not-so-exciting update. Back to work!

Why Is This Woman Happy?

2007-11-21T17:24:00.000-08:00

Because she just picked up her Fusion Pass for an unlimited season of skiing at Ski Bowl and Timberline. Woohoo!
Unfortunately, the day this picture was taken, conditions were not sufficient to run the lifts (Palmer had too much ice; the rest of the mountain, not enough snow).
But we were OK with a few hours of lodge time. When you have beer, a beautiful view, a good book, and good company, who needs skiing? :)

Nihon no Tetris

2007-11-13T10:47:00.000-08:00

Seriously one of the funniest things I have ever seen ...

glumbert - Japanese Tetris

YAYYYY Bill!

2007-11-11T19:51:00.000-08:00

Celebrating at the Old Market Pub

Bill got his pilot's license today, after months and months of flying with his instructor, flying solo, and studying every student pilots' book under the sun. All I know is we should all feel very confident when we fly the friendly skies--pilots have to know a lot! I am extremely proud of Bill, and can't wait (OK, maybe I can wait a little ...) till I fly with him for the first time.

Bill describes the experience here.

Ducks are No. 3 in the BCS!

2007-11-04T19:09:00.000-08:00

Fans rush the field after the win

The Ducks beat the Arizona State Sun Devils 35-23 in front of a record crowd Saturday. Bill and I, along with my parents, sister and her girlfriend, Liz, and 59,000+ other fans, watched the Ducks beat the devil (heh) out of ASU on Saturday. The game was not without its nailbiting moments--the Ducks will always be Ducks--but overall, both teams played really well.
Cait and Liz left Portland at 7am Saturday to secure a great spot for the FJ, and we all had a great time tailgating across from Autzen (thanks, Masons!) for a few hours leading up to the game.
The sun stayed out, but a chill settled in as the day wore on. According to the Autzen announcer, the sunny seats were a balmy 55 degrees, and the shady seats (our section) a chilly 40. However, we managed to stay warm thanks to constant standing up and sitting down every time anything remotely significant happened on the field ...
After the big win, I am praying the Ducks make it to the championships. But having spent the last 15 years of my life a fan, I know not to count on anything!

Photos!

Trip to the Coast

2007-10-21T19:25:00.001-07:00

I took Friday off and spent a couple days with my dad at the coast. He was staying in the SoMa motel while friends of his stayed at my parents' house in Waldport (long story).
After some tropics-esque downpours, the sun peeked out, and my dad and I enjoyed a day of yummy food, gallery visits, beach time, and wrestling the motel VCR (do they even make VCRs anymore?).
Kai, my parents' 140lb dog, has been forced to wear a cone around his head so he wouldn't lick a wound on his hip. Hilarity, of course, was ever-present.
The motel was cool--built in the 40s and brimming with character (particularly the shower head that forced me to crouch down to the typical 40s-era height of 4'11" ...).
It was great to hang out for some daddy-daughter time, a rarity now that we live 3 hours apart. I hope that I can make the trek again soon ...

Photos.

King of the House

2007-10-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

Milo has big-cat dreams ...

Story of Our Life

2007-10-11T10:26:00.000-07:00

Milo(ve)

2007-09-27T20:29:00.000-07:00

We finally did it--we got a cat. Not just any cat, but the most adorable, rambunctious, character of a 3-month-old: Milo. So far he's been an angel, but not without his kitten moments. Take, for example, pouncing on Bill's eye while he was sleeping, or puking on the bath mat. We already love him unconditionally, though, and there's no turning back. Our little family is growing!

Bill expresses his love for Milo here. More photos here.

Life's a Beach (that's for Liz)

2007-09-19T14:28:00.000-07:00

The Gatewood Clan

OK, I am reeaallly late blogging about this. However, the memories will live with me forever, so that shouldn't matter ... or something.

As I was saying, we had a great time traveling back east. I got to see my old stomping grounds in Northern Virginia before heading to the Outer Banks, NC, for a weeklong family reunion at the beach.

Our first stop was Hanover, MD, to visit and stay with Bill's cousin Andrea and her husband Rob. They were great hosts (thanks guys!), and put up with our antics. Bill and I spent most of our time being tourists in DC. One evening, we got to see two of my childhood homes--one in McLean and one in Great Falls.

The highlight of the DC-area portion of our trip had to be seeing my former neighbors Mary and Hector, the parents of my oldest friend, Kathy. Bill and I met them for a great Italian dinner (though, oddly, Cuba-native Hector spoke Spanish to several of the staff ...). We tried to catch up as much as we could in 2 hours, but it had been 15+ years since we'd last seen each other. Regardless, as an adult, I now realize why my parents were such good friends with the couple--they are hilarious.

We also, sadly, witnessed "progress" in Northern VA--my childhood home in McLean has been razed, a ginormous ($4 mil according to Hector) home put in its place; and our 5-acre plot, which Caitlin and I had explored every inch of, in Great Falls has been subdivided. Very sad.

But I am happy to report, besides the absence of the Dip 'n' Deli and the Bolton cottage in the Outer Banks, not too much has changed there. After a long 6-hour drive from DC, we crossed the We're Here Because We're Here bridge (known to commonfolk as the Wright Memorial Bridge) into my favorite place in the world ...

There we met up with Cait, Liz, my parents, and most of my mom's side of our family--aunts, uncles, cousins, my great aunt, second cousins ... etc. We'd all (with the exception of some "significant others" in the crowd) spent summers in the Outer Banks and, according to my uncle, Summer 2007 marked around 60 years of visiting the beach. I was only around for 30 of them.

During that week, we our schedules looked something like this: sleep in, eat, go to the beach, eat, sit by the pool, drink beer, sit by the pool, have dinner, and then play games or (as we did one night) sing karaoke. I couldn't complain! We did squeeze in a trip to the Wright Brothers Monument for aviator Bill, and a quick visit to Jockey's Ridge. I also got to see my old college roommate Mellony, who drove out from Chapel Hill to visit.

Most memorable moment? It's a tie between standing out on the beach with all the Gatewood women (give or take) and watching the moon rise over the ocean (and also sighting a UFO, but that's another story); and dodging hundreds of sand crabs in the dark as Bill and I walked from the pier back to the house late one night. Oh, and then there was my dad singing American Pie karaoke, and my mom and aunt singing Everly Brothers ... I could go on.

I hope that we manage to get together more often as a family. Being so spread out, it's easy to envy those with large, geographically close families. Now all I need to do is figure out how to get the Wisconsinites and Chicagoans out west (with the exception of Great Aunt Larry in NC--we'll always need a reason to go back).

Not sure who's admiring the view more here ...

More photos here
Bill's photos here

Good Family Times!

2007-08-25T19:06:00.000-07:00

Cousin Jen, Cousin Lauren, and me

It's the month for family!

I just got back from Hayward, CA. I was there for work, but I stayed over till Saturday to visit my half-brother Barry, Anne-Mette, and my nephew Sean. We had a great time, and Sean was a kick.

On Saturday, the Marin Upshaws--my Aunt Susan, Uncle Lynn, cousin Jen, and cousin Lauren and her family--came over for lunch. Even though I only had a short time before my flight, we had a couple hours to catch up. It's good to hang out with my ever-expanding family. It brought back memories of the four of us cousins hanging out in our Wonder Woman swimsuits ...

Photos here.

Last weekend, Bill and I were in Stockton to visit his sister and her family. We had a great time hanging out on their boat (I wake surfed!) and by their pool. Bill's nieces are beyond adorable, and it was good to meet his sweet sister Jen. I got some good dirt on Bill ... :)

Photos here.

This week, Bill and I head to the East Coast for beach time with my mom's side of the family!

Bill's nieces Caitlyn and Sophia above

Flying high ...

2007-08-12T17:54:00.001-07:00

I broadened my horizons, if you will, on Sunday at the Oregon International Air Show. Even though I am occasionally freaked out by flying, particularly in planes where I need to duck when I walk to the bathroom, the airplanes at this show were amazing. There was everything from aerobatic planes doing flips and stalls, to a stealth fighter jet, to the Navy's Blue Angels. The weather did not cooperate, however, and we dealt with light rain for the last hour or so. I also battled nausea as I stood next to the dirtiest, smelliest, most back-woods family I have ever seen. I'm pretty sure inbreeding played a part. But I digress ... All in all it was a very good time, and I think Bill enjoyed his "date" at the air show. It's only a matter of time before he's sharing their air space as a pilot!

Photos ...

Flying high ...

2007-08-12T17:54:00.000-07:00

Hideaway Lake

2007-08-07T08:15:00.000-07:00

We finally camped last weekend (for the first time this year!) at Hideaway Lake, near Mount Hood. I think the photos capture it best, as does Bill’s post.

Mother: Don't Read This

2007-07-25T07:58:00.000-07:00

I rode for the first time on the back of a motorcycle yesterday. Well, technically I'd ridden on one once before, but that was a half-mile trip to the grocery store in Maui on the back of my landlord's Harley. I'm choosing to not count that.
Anyway, after trying on some of Bill's helmets (I found one that fit my giant head!), and after asking a lot of questions such as "How will we not fall over when we go around turns?" and "If we aren't going to crash, why do I have to wear gear that keeps my skin from rubbing off on the road?", I got on the back of his 1972 BMW.
The ride out to Salvador Molly's on Capitol Hwy was a bit nerve-wracking, but I kept a death grip on Bill's waist. But after dinner (and two mojitos), I managed to actually enjoy the ride home. Bill is a safe driver (at least with me on the back), and it's safe to say it won't take nearly as much convincing next time to get me to ride with him.
Mother, if you read this despite my warning, please email Bill with your concerns ... :-)

Seattle to Portland in 12 Hours

2007-07-17T12:38:00.001-07:00

Ken et al crossing the bridge into Oregon

A quick recap of STP:

Day 1: Ken, Bill, and I got a late start (7:15am) because of the insane traffic at UW. We never managed to escape the massive packs of riders the entire day, but we still had fun. It was a pretty flat 100 miles to Centralia, and I felt pretty good most of the day. We managed to pass hundreds of riders, partly out of fear of not finding a camping spot in Centralia.
We ended at Centralia College, where we set up camp (we were some of the first to arrive), gorged on pasta and potatoes, and showered. We then joined other riders for beer and Tour de France in the beer garden.

Day 2: We slept in till 6am and were packed up soon after. We were happy to wake up to clouds after spending the previous day baking in the sun. Surprisingly, we all felt fine getting back on the bike, and I even felt stronger than I did on Day 1. Nothing like 100 miles to warm you up … The day was a bit hillier, but a lot less crowded. The last 30+-mile stretch on Highway 30 was a brutal combination of fast cars, narrow shoulders, and packs of cyclists. We had our eye on the prize (beer at the finish), so we blew through those last miles.
At the finish line near Lloyd Center, we felt like we were in the Tour, with hundreds of people cheering along the final stretch. It was strange, but cool. We managed to gulp down one beer each before deciding it was time to get home and veg.

All in all, a good time. Next year, maybe we’ll do it in one day …

Bill’s take on STP here.
More photos here.

Off to STP!

2007-07-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

We're off to Seattle to Portland this evening for 204 miles of cycling back to Portland. Caitlin and Liz were kind enough to offer to drive my car back from Seattle, and they'll get a mini-vacation out of the deal. Ken and I will be riding up with them tonight and meeting Bill, who is already up there for an airplane thing (what kind of airplane thing exactly, I can't remember). We'll be staying with Grandma Margaret and up at the crack of dawn to head to the UW (I will be wearing my Ducks jersey, of course) campus for the start. Tomorrow night we'll camp in Centralia with thousands of other cyclists, and then finish the second half of the journey on Sunday, ending at Lloyd Center. The weather should cool down a bit, and we're grateful for that.

Ride report to come next week!

Move over, Lance ...

2007-06-26T13:07:00.001-07:00

I did my first “race” last night at Portland International Raceway. The course was seven 2-mile laps around the track. As part of the “novice women’s” group, seven of us took turns drafting, pulling, and getting dropped (in my case) for about 45 minutes (18mph average). I made the rookie mistake of, as Bill puts it, thinking I “owed” something to the other women and pulling them on the straightaways into the wind. I won’t make that mistake again. My screaming calves won’t let me.
Bill and Kevin also raced--as part of the novice men’s group. Because they had such a large group, they managed to save a bit more energy than I did. Maybe I’ll ride with the men next time …
All in all, it was a lot of fun. I’ll definitely be there again. Thanks, Doug, for shaming me into going. ; )

No pics this time, but more info is here.
Results are here.

My First Century!

2007-06-03T08:53:00.000-07:00

Miranda, Doug, and me at the final pit stop

I completed my first century yesterday--the Pioneer Century! It went a LOT better than I thought, and I am more confident I will be ready for Seattle to Portland. We finished 102 miles at about 16mph average--not bad for my first century, given the 7mph climbs. I even hit my highest speed ever--42mph. And I got my first cyclist's sunburn. Lots of firsts!

Highs: My riding companions Doug and Miranda were kind enough to not go into race mode for this ride, so we had a good time just taking it easy. Well, they took it easy, but I still fell off their wheels on occasion. The first half of the ride had a fair bit of climbing--around 3,000 feet. It was tough, but the downhills made up for it. It was 85-90 degrees and sunny for most of the ride, but it didn't get to us too much. Occasional rides through farmland sprinklers kept us cool!

Lows: I bonked at about 99 miles, likely due to insufficient calorie intake. It's hard to keep up with the 4,000-calorie loss over 6 hours.
Miranda had a nasty crash about 5 miles from the finish, landing in some glass. Rumor has it she required 10 stitches--a sign of a true cyclist. ; )

Lessons learned: Drink more (we peed twice over 8 hours!), eat more at lunch, and wear more sunblock!

We Have a Backyard

2007-06-03T08:46:00.000-07:00

Bill and I spent most of one day clearing, pressure-washing, and weeding to get the backyard in shape for summer. We're very happy with it! We'll have a barbecue as soon as Bill's travel schedule settles down ...

Fascinating Statistics

2007-05-11T09:27:00.001-07:00

A bit long, but an eye-opener!

Sunday Cruise

2007-05-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

Me, Amy, and Dana mentally preparing to conquer The Hill.

I met with a women’s group for a 50-mile Sunday ride down the Springwater trail into Gresham. It was fun biking with the ladies—I’m usually “blessed” with brawny men for whom an easy ride means steady 20mph. But what hasn’t killed me has made me stronger, as Sunday’s ride was a breeze! I did learn an important lesson though: I need to eat about twice as much as I think. On top of being famished after the ride, my blood sugar hit rock bottom. I guess burning 2500 calories will do that!

Go Bill!

2007-04-19T14:11:00.000-07:00

We leave tonight for Boise (yes, my third trip to the cosmopolitan city in as many months). Bill will be running the Race to Robie Creek half-marathon. So, be thinking fast thoughts at around 11am PST Saturday, as we all want Bill to get a PR and beat his friend. I don’t think it will be a problem. Either way, win or lose, good times will be had … especially by me, enjoying a beer at the finish line while the suckas run.

Robie 2006

Sauvie Island Ride

2007-04-16T09:50:00.000-07:00

Yvette and me

It was a beautiful day for a ride Sunday as the Mills, Bill, and I did two loops (37 miles) around Sauvie Island. The sun stayed out most of the time, and the wind was minimal. Kevin kicked butt by pulling us for half of the ride, but we all took turns. Yvette also pulled more than her weight, which is awesome considering her training’s been mostly confined to spin class. I’m pretty new to riding this way, as I’ve traditionally ridden with triathletes, on my own, or in no-drafting races. It makes it a LOT easier in terms of energy usage, but I’m still getting used to staring at the wheel just inches from my front wheel at 20mph. Anyway, it was a fun, hard ride, and my aching ITB is proof of that. The best part is, there were NO pictures of my behind! As far as I know, at least …

On the road again

2007-04-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

Someday this will be someone else's butt in the back (Kevin Wagoner photo)

Ride #2 with the Con-way boys again. We rode out to Kelly Point and back—around 26 miles. It was mostly cloudy and around 50, but the rain stayed away. I once again got my butt kicked, but not as horribly as I did on the hills last week!
I’ll miss the first time trial of 2007 in Vancouver next week, as we’ll be in Boise. I’m hoping for a PR the following week though, which shouldn’t be tough considering I’ve only done this TT once in the past. : )

My aching legs ...

2007-04-07T17:31:00.000-07:00

Photo of my behind on the Steel Bridge by Kevin Wagoner

We kicked off the 2007 Con-way Cycling season with a not-so-quick and somewhat sketchy 16-miler up Terwilliger and down around the river. The rest of the group--all boys except for one kickass ironwoman--was patient enough to wait for what had to be minutes while I caught up on the hills. But this was one of my first rides of the season, and my lungs can only expand, my legs only get beefier. Now to get my peeps to join me in Seattle to Portland ...

OOC

2007-03-27T15:07:00.000-07:00

I had to share this photo of a large “toxic” frog caught in Australia. The creepiest part? His hind legs look human …

Go Ducks! (part 2)

2007-03-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

Portland got behind the Ducks this week as the men’s basketball team made it to the Sweet 16. I’m sure it ruffled the, uh, fur of a lot of Beavers as they drove past the Morrison Bridge downtown, which glowed green and yellow. Bill and I headed to the Eastbank Esplanade last night so Bill could shoot some pics of the bridge while I was the supportive (freezing) girlfriend. I guess I can’t complain—his transformation to a Ducks fan is well underway. Muahaha.

The Ducks play at 6:40pm (PST) Friday in St. Louis. Should be interesting …

(The photo, (c) Bill, was cropped. The original version is here.)

30 is the new 20

2007-03-02T13:16:00.000-08:00

This Sunday I turn 30. I always figured this would be a big birthday for me, but honestly, it’s not that big of a deal. I’m exactly where I want to be, and the future is bright. That being said, here are some of the highlights of the last 30 years …

I was born. Ya, that was fun. I took the easy way out via C-section. I was a big, big baby.
I lived overseas. Japan was a BLAST—what I remember of it, which is pretty much limited to throwing up in the back of a taxi while the driver freaked out in Japanese.
I moved away from the yuppy hell that is NoVa. If I still lived in Northern Virginia, my hair would be perfectly coiffed, I’d be wearing a belt that matches my shoes, and my Subaru would be a BMW with a bumper sticker that reads “My other car is a horse”.
I met my best, lifelong friends. Bri, Erika, Sally, and Elena—I’m so lucky to have you still in my life.
I quit smoking and started running. Probably the most important thing I have ever done for myself.
I saw my sister do the bravest thing ever. And now, I think she is truly happy. She’s my best friend and I am SO proud of her. Stanky pow pow forevs, Cait.
I settled down. I finally stopped searching for a place to call home, which leads me to …
I met the love of my life. And where he is, my home is. Bill’s been my rock, and without him, I would still be watching movies with my left and right stereo speakers switched.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

2007-02-16T15:38:00.000-08:00

I think Bill sums it up best in his post, but all I have to add is that this past year has been the best of my life. Last February 13th, I met my lobster (for you Friends fans), and when that happens, everything else seems to fall into place. I really can't say much without embarrassing certain involved parties, but I am one happy girl who looks forward to many more years with her BFF.

You'd think the Midwest could handle the snow ...

2007-02-06T16:16:00.000-08:00

But, they can't. They knew a storm was coming, yet we still spent 4 hours on the freeway trying to travel 35 miles from north of Cincinnati to the airport in northern Kentucky. We were supposed to catch a flight to Atlana at 4:24, but we missed that. We were supposed to catch the next flight at 7:30, but we missed that--and it was canceled anyway. Regardless, it made for a fun adventure with my two coworkers trying to find a bathroom in the "less than prosperous" area on Cincinnati and ending up all mixed up next to Bengals statium. All I have to say is, my Blackberry and its Google Maps has already paid for itself.
After several calls to our travel department, we got a hotel in Covington, Kentucky, an adorable old town on the river. Tomorrow we catch the 11am flight (fingers crossed) to Atlanta in time to catch the night shift at the Con-way parts distribution center. Until then, we'll kick back with a couple beers and watch the cars spin circles outside the Holiday Inn.

We're the ones in the Ford Taurus.

On my (Con-)way out again ...

2007-02-03T10:15:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am leaving again. I’m not sure Columbus, Ohio, is what I meant when I said I wanted a job that let me travel, but at least I get out of the office. I’ll be packing my long underwear—they’re expecting a high of 6 degrees and snow. (And I thought Boise was bad.) Then it’s off to Hotlanta, which I don’t think will be hot at all (that’s so misleading). I’m hoping to bump into Outkast or Ludacris while I’m down there. Think they hang out near the Con-way service center?

My apologies to all my friends I’ve been neglecting in the past few weeks due to my insane travel schedule and the Big Move. I should be back in town for a good month starting Feb 12^th, so don’t write me off yet!

Roller Girls

2007-02-02T16:30:00.000-08:00

Caitlin and I took our dad to the Roller Derby as a belated birthday gift. Cait’s been a couple times, but I had no idea what to expect. Well, extreme over-stimulation is an understatement. If loud 80s music, oddly dressed people on skates, uncomfortable seats, and cheap beer is your thing, the Expo Center is the place to be on derby night. The action wasn’t exactly blazing fast (the rink isn’t banked, which makes for slower skating), but these girls were fun to watch. And I must admit—the prospect of knocking other girls over while on roller skates made upcoming tryouts slightly tempting …

More photos here.

Want tickets? Click here.

Moving on ... Down

2007-01-25T11:17:00.000-08:00

As most of you know, I’ve moved to the ‘burbs. I guess that’s what I get for always talking smack about living outside of the city; love makes you do strange things. I’ll miss my cute apartment in Northeast, but I won't miss the non-functioning dryer, the drafty winters, or the sweltering summers ...

Bill and I are still trying to get through the mess of boxes. It’s been hard given my insane travel schedule these days, but we should have a clean house in time for summer! Despite the clutter, I couldn’t be happier to come home every day...

Read Bill's take here.

SNOW!

2007-01-16T12:10:00.000-08:00

Jan 2007 snowfall in Tigard, OR

We woke up to a few inches of snow this morning, which was a pleasant surprise to me. I guess Bill had heard it "may snow" but would probably miss us. Leave it to Oregon TV weatherpeople ... Anyway, we took a walk in the falling snow to Starbucks (snow or no snow, I needed my fix). I've been working a bit from home to ease my guilty conscience about not going into work (Subaru? What Subaru?). Mostly we're sitting around enjoying the view and the fire. Happy snow day!

Bill's post here.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-02T13:25:00.000-08:00

A sunny day at Lookout Pass

Bill and I are back in Portland after a great, long trip to Montana. On our way back from Missoula, we stopped at Lookout Pass on the Montana-Idaho border for a day of skiing in the sun. The conditions were perfect, and we got some good video (which I will post soon).
From Lookout we headed to Ritzville, WA, to stay the night before going to Fossil, OR, to the Wilson Ranch Bed and Breakfast for New Years. Fossil is a quaint small town in north-central Oregon where folks actually waved at us from their pickups as we passed them on the highway. Friendliness--what a concept! We spent a lazy New Year's Eve on the ranch watching the ball drop and drinking champagne. Nancy and Phil were great hosts. We will definitely be staying with them again.
I hope everyone had a great holiday!

Pictures here.

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-25T13:29:00.000-08:00

It's a semi-white Christmas here in Missoula. It's been a great trip so far, and I love the town. It reminds me a little of Eugene, but smaller and less hippier-than-thou. The Andersons have been great hosts and have made it a lot easier to be away from my family for the holidays. Bill's a little bruised after his annual football game, but boys will be boys--it was cool to see a bunch of 30-somethings tackle each other "for fun." It's snowed a little since we arrived, but I think we brought Oregon with us; it's now raining.
Everyone was WAY too generous with gifts, and the photo at right is a prime example--thanks to Bill, I am finally in the 21st century with my own digital camera. Also thanks to him, my Subie now has 4--that's right, 4--hubcaps!
As for New Years, no plans yet, but we're workin' on it ...

Happy Holidays from Bob, Phil, Betty, and Judy

2006-12-21T08:50:00.000-08:00

Bill and I leave for Missoula, MT, tomorrow morning to spend the holidays with his parents. It’s going to be a long drive, but as long as the Manheim Steamroller is kept to a minimum, I think it will be a fun one. I’m definitely going to miss my family on Christmas—I’ve only spent one Christmas away from them. I’ll miss our traditional Christmas Eve gift, the White Christmas viewing, and my dad with bows and ribbons all over his head (don’t ask), but I’m excited to be a part of new traditions. I also have a better shot at a white Christmas than I ever have in Oregon or even Virginia, and living in Laupahoehoe, of course, usually meant a WET Christmas. I can’t say I am looking forward to the cold, but Bill says it’s a “dry cold.” Is that supposed to make me feel better?

I hope my friends and family have a great holiday, and I’ll see you next year! (Ba-dump-bump)

See Bill’s post and route map here.

Disney Photos Up

2006-12-13T18:05:00.000-08:00

In an effort to save time and laptop battery power, I am simply going to refer you to Bill's post about our Disneyland trip, complete with photos. I think the photos capture most of it, but the videos really do justice to the extreme thrill of the trip. No video yet, but it's coming soon.

To sum up, we had a great time, and the Mills were awesome traveling partners. Bill and I made quite the team, and I can thank him for getting me on rides I wouldn't even consider if I were alone (my first loopy roller coaster!) and ones my mom would have a heart attack just thinking about (Tower of Terror). Oddly, the one ride Yvette and I pushed for the most (Ferris Wheel) turned out to be the most fearsome, thanks in part to a park employee from Lebanon, OR, who would not let us off the ride when we were in the grips of fear. Despite that, I hope we can make the SoCal trip an annual one ...

Photos here.

Disneyland Photos Coming Soon

2006-12-13T16:34:00.000-08:00

Some of you (OK, maybe two of you) are asking where my Disneyland post is. Well, I am waiting for photos to be uploaded (the passive voice implies I am not to be held accountable). I haven't stepped into the 21st century and bought a digital camera yet, so I have to rely on Bill for that. He's been busy doing God knows what ... probably analyzing how he could increase his score on the Buzz Lightyear ride, or how a Ferris Wheel could be so death-defying.

Anyhoo, there's more to come. Until then, here's a taste of the thrills and spills we experienced in Anaheim. (Yes, my score DID improve after this ride.)

Religious Extremists in Utah

2006-12-07T10:52:00.000-08:00

This is sick ...

PROVO, Utah (AP) -- A woman whose parents are charged with kidnapping her to stop her wedding testified tearfully Wednesday that they grabbed her by the hair and told her she was breaking the commandment to honor them.... (more)

California, Here We Come ....

2006-12-06T20:22:00.000-08:00

We're heading down to Disneyland tomorrow evening for three days o' fun. I'm sure there will be dozens of pictures, so stay tuned. Will we run into Seth and Ryan and the gang in The OC? That's yet to be determined ...(the one on the right died in last season's finale. sadly, so did her FJ)

Another Good Season?

2006-12-04T13:09:00.000-08:00

Bill, Jereme, and I got our first day of ski season out of the way Sunday. We headed up to Ski Bowl for the 9-4 shift. Normally a pretty low-key place to ski, Ski Bowl was crowded due to Mt Hood Meadows being closed. I guess Meadows pass-holders ski free at Ski Bowl, so they all descended on my little mountain at once. Nevertheless, we had a good time. The winds were gusty, but not intolerable, and the sun stayed out the whole time. There were some icy patches, but for the most part, the snow was good. It took a few runs to get my ski legs back, but by the end of the day, I was keeping speedy Bill in sight … We even ran into some friends up there, who were part of our season pass group last year. I’m regretting slightly that I didn’t get a pass this year, thinking nothing could match last year’s epic conditions, but it’s OK. There’s always next year …

Photos Are Up!

2006-11-28T10:30:00.000-08:00

Just click the picture ...

Thanksgiving Report

2006-11-27T11:17:00.000-08:00

Well, despite the Ducks’ loss, Thanksgiving was great. Caitlin, Liz, Bill, and I headed out to Waldport for Thanksgiving with the parents at their house. The weather was off and on—some storminess, some sun—but we still squeezed in some beach time and some shopping time. Ma Joan made some GREAT dinners, and we the kids pitched in at breakfast time. All in all, it was a weekend of football, sea-gazing, beer, hot-tubbing, and lots of sleep. We’ve got dozens of photos (thanks to Bill and Liz), and I will post a link when they’re ready!

Black Friday?

2006-11-22T10:40:00.000-08:00

I'm still holding out hope ...

Bill Made Me Add a Title

2006-11-21T09:46:00.000-08:00

Well, it seems to be taking a LONG time for PNA Swimming to post the meet results, so I am just going to wing it.

50m freestyle: 32.01
100m freestyle: 1:10.50 (?)
200m freestyle: scratched

It was overall a good day of swimming, though looking back at last year’s Zone meet, I lost a half-second in the 50m free. And King County Aquatic Center is supposedly a “faster” pool that David Douglas—not sure how that works. That was a bit disheartening, but my heart honestly was not in it this year, so I am cutting myself some slack. Does this mean Nationals is out for May? That’s TBD …

I do want to thank my “fan club” for coming out (Erika, Bill, Janet, Amber, Margaret and Helen), and for keeping me from getting too stressed out about times and results … :-*

Meet results here.

Must be an OSU grad ...

2006-11-21T09:29:00.000-08:00

Killer Swears Girl Was In Two Pieces When He Left Her

CORVALLIS, OR—Apprehended drifter Gary Lee Haynesworth strongly denied any involvement in the dismemberment and skinning of 16-year-old...

Another Sad Weekend in Football

2006-11-20T10:24:00.000-08:00

Well, my beloved Ducks sucked again last weekend, losing 37-10 to U of Ariz Wildcats. Outlook for the Civil War at Reser Stadium against Oregon State: not so good. I’m hoping to dampen the blow with beer as we watch the game Friday from a sports bar in neutral territory—Yachats, Oregon.

And in other news ... Congrats, Griz fans! My condolences, Bobcat fans …

Go Ducks and Cats!

2006-11-17T15:54:00.000-08:00

Liz, avert your eyes ...

Zen and the Art of Road Rage

2006-11-17T09:32:00.000-08:00

Most of you know I have some issues with road rage. Well, not road rage exactly, more like road frustration. So the other night on my way to the pool, I decided to adopt a Zen outlook and just “be” the traffic. While everyone else jockeyed for position on I-84, I chillaxed to the smooth sounds of Rapper’s Delight. It was amazing how much better it felt to NOT be stressed out. I didn't realize that leaving more than 3 feet in front of my bumper has such an effect on my mental state!
This was all well and good … until Mr. Lincoln Continental interfered yesterday morning (NE Broadway westbound). It’s one thing to cut me off; it’s quite another to drive slowly in front of me, then suddenly change lanes, crossing a solid white line and then crossing a bike lane WITH a biker in it, all without signaling. Having been at the losing end of a car vs. bike battle a couple years ago, that really got under my skin. Oh, but it gets worse, my friends. Just when I thought he was out of my life, he swerved BACK into my lane as I passed him, coming within inches of hitting me. It’s baffling how that person makes it through a day.
In conclusion, I’ll continue my Zen approach to driving—until the next complete idiot with no regard for anyone but himself crosses my path. (Don’t quote me on this, Bill—the Zen thing doesn’t apply in the Seattle area.)

Web Hits 100 Million Sites

2006-11-17T08:47:00.000-08:00

I know certain people who've probably hit 100 mil. sites themselves ...

Web Hits 100 Million Sites

2006-11-16T10:41:00.000-08:00

Blog attempt number 2. I started my own “website,” if you can call it that, but posting on it meant having my laptop with me when I needed it. It seems the only free time I have is at work. Sad, but true. That being the case, I elected to go the web-blog route (though this will eventually link to my website, when I get that back up …).

For those whom I talk to regularly: This may be boring and pointless for you to read since you already know what’s going on in my world, but you never know—I tend to write better (and more) than I speak.

For those whom I don’t often talk to: I hope this does a little to lessen the disconnection between us.