Well, I'm back. A little later than I wanted, but, I just got carried away with surfing. Actually, I did a little bit of work on my clients' websites today.
Anywho. Portland. I got here May 12th. I *can not* believe it's already June 5th. We've got all the utilities taken care of. My typical day is pretty much:
1. Wake up around 9 or 10am. I do set the alarm for 8:30 everyday, but, really, I don't know why I do that. I wake up and turn it off and go right back to bed. The clock is at the foot of the mattress, so I even have to get out of the covers and such, but, I still get back.
2. Look for jobs as much as I can, which, unfortunately just means opening up all the links I have in my browser favorites folder called "jobs" and looking through them. It's usually very slim pickings. I only average an application once every 1.5 days. There really just isn't much around here.
3. Eat lunch, consisting of PB&J sandwiches and/or cereal. Everyday is a combination of one of those two. Lately, I've been trying to get more "solids" into my system. This week was frozen burritos. Still, it's crazy how much money I see saving in not going out to eat. I have eaten fast food a few times while I've been in the house, but the majority has been what I mentioned above. It gets boring real quick.
4. Surfing/WoW/watching movies. The first couple of weeks, it was WoW. I leveled a new character to level 80 in 2 weeks...probably my fastest ever. I played way too much. I think I'm on "break" now. The last week or so, I've been helping this new client for a blog he wanted on his website. He's been in some notable TV shows and movies, as well.
5. Dinner. Mostly repeat lunch.
6. Back to step 4 until late and to sleep.
It's a real boring schedule. Frankly, I don't wish that I ever NOT have a job, but I can't do this for much longer. Laura and the dogs being here would be much better on the schedule and my outlook of boredom, however. Like I said, the house is completely empty and it saps any energy I have. Mowing the lawn has been an exercise. I always seems to be out of breath after I do it. I think this coming week, I'm going to actually raise the cutting level 1 notch, because right now, I think it's too short. That'll help with not filling up the trash too fast as well.
What else. Nothing, really, because I've been doing nothing!
I can't wait for the 25th. 20 days away. I've already been here that long and it seemed to go by quick, so, hopefully this will be the same. The move will be hard, though, I think. The drive was long and that was without any house stuff. But then again, this time there will be friends involved, so maybe it won't be as bad.
Anyway, I just registered for all our utilities and already the electric and gas are ready for payment. The electric was like $14, but the gas was $41! Hopefully I don't have to heat it during the summer. I dunno why, but I'm just cold in this house. Either the townhouse was kept warm because it was nestled in between two other houses that stayed warm, so it just felt like I didn't need to run the heat or the thermostat was off in the townhouse, because I have this place set at 72 and that's about right, for me at least. I think I can go to 71 or 70 maybe, but, we'll see. The difference between 71 and 72 on thermostat is big. Like 71 is too cold, but 72 is too hot. Oh well.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Well, it's almost been 3 weeks since my last post, so it's probably time to update this thing. I'll do it tomorrow, as it's almost midnight now. I know I'm not really going to be able to sleep anytime soon; I've been staying up rather late since I moved into this house and waking up later than I'd like. I'm not sure why. I'm not even tired most of the time. Perhaps I'm just trying to pass time by sleeping it away? I don't know. I know that I miss Laura A LOT right now. I can't believe it's already been 3 weeks since the time we were looking for houses, driving around Portland, and living out of the Homestead Suites. Time flew by, but, I'm not exactly sure how, if that makes sense. One thing's for sure that it's a lot of wasted time gone. I need to do more productive stuff during this time.
Anyway, I'll write again tomorrow.
Anyway, I'll write again tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
I guess I'll make my first blog post from Oregon one from my last night here at the extended stay hotel. I've only stayed here for 7 days now and I'm "moving" into our rental home tomorrow. I put moving in quotes as I really don't have anything to move in...Clothes and some appliances is all. I'm not sure what I'm going to be doing there. I scheduled the internet to be installed, but that's this Thursday, so I'm going to have to visit Barnes and Noble or something in the meantime to keep my job search going.
It doesn't seem like it, but so much has happened in the last week. Being alone for a couple of days has re-confirmed my dependence for Laura as my wife and friend through tough times. After having a bit of a freak out on the first night here, things started to look up again after she arrived a day later. I don't know how I'm going to make it through the next several weeks without her. It's going to be tough. I guess I miss my pups, too. :)
Just a recap, the drive here was terrible. Don't ever do 17 hours in a single day, let alone by yourself. I mean, I guess I do like driving, but man, this made me hate it. The first few hours of the morning sucked. I left at 1:20am. Cold and dark, it was actually snowing/blizzarding until it became light outside. I was dozing out really bad in the beginning (and frankly it was kind of getting dangerous) so I actually stopped about 4 hours into the trip and took at 40-minute nap out at a hotel parking lot. I didn't really sleep all that much, but it gave me enough energy to keep going until the sun came up and finally "wake up." The middle7-8 hours went fine. Nothing in terms of scenery, really. The last 4-5 hours SUCKED the worst. I don't know why. It just did. The sign for the "miles to Portland" pissed me off every time since the miles left didn't seem to change. It just kept going down by like 3 miles each time. Seriously, at least put it 15-20 miles apart. The scenery was awesome, however, for the last 2 hours. Driving along the river all the way in, seeing these boats, huge cliffs and crags, the sun setting, dams, etc. all made it nice. It just felt like a foreign area to me, since I was so used to the Wyoming scenery. I was just arriving in traffic, which I didn't realize at the time, so that just made the last 30 minutes that bad. And the fact that I didn't know crap about the area and how the roads were, like some exits being on the left, signage being horrible and worst of all, OREGON DRIVERS SUCKING. Honestly, I have not seen worse drivers in all the states I've been in. LA is even better. No one signals, brakes abruptly, speeds up for no reason when you try to pass and then slows down...it's ridiculous.
Anyway, I finally make it to the hotel and I pay for the first week. Hell, the stupid girl was nice, but charged me the wrong rate...whatever. So, yeah. That day was back. The next day, I really tried to be in a good mood since I was picking up Laura, but traffic, again. I was like 45 minutes late in picking up Laura because there was a crash that bogged down the route I was going to take. Trying to go another route (bad idea when you don't know what the "other route" is), I end up in downtown...furthermore, I ended up making wrong turns and ended up going TO the damn crash I was trying to avoid in the first place. Seriously. And then I proceeded to sit in traffic (literally sit) for the next hour. I moved about 500 feet in about an hour. And then after the traffic cleared, I just had to turn back around and pass where I was. Sucks not knowing where you are. After picking Laura up, things started getting better. The airport is pretty easily laid out, even more so than DIA.
With Laura here, we set upon finding a place to stay. At first it was going crappy. Didn't find much, people not calling back, and so forth. We only ended up being shown 1 house and it was bad. Old, small, in a bad part of Portland from what we could see. The East side. The other houses we were expected to see we didn't even go since we drove by it and it was just bad. We saw another house where the people looking at it were freaking out because they wanted it. It wasn't bad, but the back yard wasn't fenced, so it was a no go for us. Laura found this cool house right near her work and we decided to get a showing. We saw it and we liked it a lot. No bath...kinda bad for me since I take so much, but I said with the luck we've been having, this house is too good to pass and I can manage. We ended up applying for the house and getting it. I just paid the first payments tonight, actually. I move in tomorrow! I can't wait, although, I can't really do anything.
6 weeks until Laura moves in. That's a long time. I need to find a job, though, but then again, I want to help move as well. I don't want them to do it all. We are sort of worried about money, as we should. The rent for the house was on the upper end of our affordability. Take that back, probably THE end of the higher end. Now setting up this cable is another $225 or something, but the $150 deposit we can get back after 6 months. I think it's because so we don't quit the service after the promo or something, but whatever.
So, tomorrow, we'll see what the future brings. I will be hanging out at the local Barnes and Noble, about 10 minutes or less away for the next 2 days, mooching off their internet. Laura and I had a lot of fun when she was here, though. We went to the Japanese Gardens, the downtown market (which was too crowded for me, really), seeing Voodoo Doughnut and its long line, and just driving around our house to see what kind of stuff there was. I tell you what, I know we've grown to like the mom and pop shops, no traffic, and the small town feel, but I must admit it was kind of nice to see the different kinds of shops just around our house. Convenience stores, BB&B, Home Depot, retail stores, etc. It was weird because it was almost as if it was the first time we've seen these places, you know? Hopefully we aren't spoiled again to the point where if we moved to a place like Laramie, we won't be complaining about not having amenities. I don't think that will happen, but we'll see. We were already trying to find non-ordinary places to shop, eat, and so forth. I don't think we can go back to chains if we tried.
Well, I better go to sleep and use the internet I have sparingly...
I miss you Laura! Can't wait to have you back here.
-J
It doesn't seem like it, but so much has happened in the last week. Being alone for a couple of days has re-confirmed my dependence for Laura as my wife and friend through tough times. After having a bit of a freak out on the first night here, things started to look up again after she arrived a day later. I don't know how I'm going to make it through the next several weeks without her. It's going to be tough. I guess I miss my pups, too. :)
Just a recap, the drive here was terrible. Don't ever do 17 hours in a single day, let alone by yourself. I mean, I guess I do like driving, but man, this made me hate it. The first few hours of the morning sucked. I left at 1:20am. Cold and dark, it was actually snowing/blizzarding until it became light outside. I was dozing out really bad in the beginning (and frankly it was kind of getting dangerous) so I actually stopped about 4 hours into the trip and took at 40-minute nap out at a hotel parking lot. I didn't really sleep all that much, but it gave me enough energy to keep going until the sun came up and finally "wake up." The middle7-8 hours went fine. Nothing in terms of scenery, really. The last 4-5 hours SUCKED the worst. I don't know why. It just did. The sign for the "miles to Portland" pissed me off every time since the miles left didn't seem to change. It just kept going down by like 3 miles each time. Seriously, at least put it 15-20 miles apart. The scenery was awesome, however, for the last 2 hours. Driving along the river all the way in, seeing these boats, huge cliffs and crags, the sun setting, dams, etc. all made it nice. It just felt like a foreign area to me, since I was so used to the Wyoming scenery. I was just arriving in traffic, which I didn't realize at the time, so that just made the last 30 minutes that bad. And the fact that I didn't know crap about the area and how the roads were, like some exits being on the left, signage being horrible and worst of all, OREGON DRIVERS SUCKING. Honestly, I have not seen worse drivers in all the states I've been in. LA is even better. No one signals, brakes abruptly, speeds up for no reason when you try to pass and then slows down...it's ridiculous.
Anyway, I finally make it to the hotel and I pay for the first week. Hell, the stupid girl was nice, but charged me the wrong rate...whatever. So, yeah. That day was back. The next day, I really tried to be in a good mood since I was picking up Laura, but traffic, again. I was like 45 minutes late in picking up Laura because there was a crash that bogged down the route I was going to take. Trying to go another route (bad idea when you don't know what the "other route" is), I end up in downtown...furthermore, I ended up making wrong turns and ended up going TO the damn crash I was trying to avoid in the first place. Seriously. And then I proceeded to sit in traffic (literally sit) for the next hour. I moved about 500 feet in about an hour. And then after the traffic cleared, I just had to turn back around and pass where I was. Sucks not knowing where you are. After picking Laura up, things started getting better. The airport is pretty easily laid out, even more so than DIA.
With Laura here, we set upon finding a place to stay. At first it was going crappy. Didn't find much, people not calling back, and so forth. We only ended up being shown 1 house and it was bad. Old, small, in a bad part of Portland from what we could see. The East side. The other houses we were expected to see we didn't even go since we drove by it and it was just bad. We saw another house where the people looking at it were freaking out because they wanted it. It wasn't bad, but the back yard wasn't fenced, so it was a no go for us. Laura found this cool house right near her work and we decided to get a showing. We saw it and we liked it a lot. No bath...kinda bad for me since I take so much, but I said with the luck we've been having, this house is too good to pass and I can manage. We ended up applying for the house and getting it. I just paid the first payments tonight, actually. I move in tomorrow! I can't wait, although, I can't really do anything.
6 weeks until Laura moves in. That's a long time. I need to find a job, though, but then again, I want to help move as well. I don't want them to do it all. We are sort of worried about money, as we should. The rent for the house was on the upper end of our affordability. Take that back, probably THE end of the higher end. Now setting up this cable is another $225 or something, but the $150 deposit we can get back after 6 months. I think it's because so we don't quit the service after the promo or something, but whatever.
So, tomorrow, we'll see what the future brings. I will be hanging out at the local Barnes and Noble, about 10 minutes or less away for the next 2 days, mooching off their internet. Laura and I had a lot of fun when she was here, though. We went to the Japanese Gardens, the downtown market (which was too crowded for me, really), seeing Voodoo Doughnut and its long line, and just driving around our house to see what kind of stuff there was. I tell you what, I know we've grown to like the mom and pop shops, no traffic, and the small town feel, but I must admit it was kind of nice to see the different kinds of shops just around our house. Convenience stores, BB&B, Home Depot, retail stores, etc. It was weird because it was almost as if it was the first time we've seen these places, you know? Hopefully we aren't spoiled again to the point where if we moved to a place like Laramie, we won't be complaining about not having amenities. I don't think that will happen, but we'll see. We were already trying to find non-ordinary places to shop, eat, and so forth. I don't think we can go back to chains if we tried.
Well, I better go to sleep and use the internet I have sparingly...
I miss you Laura! Can't wait to have you back here.
-J
Saturday, May 08, 2010
So...another page in my life has turned. This time marking the end of a chapter. The chapter will be called "Laramie."
Today was my last day at work. It felt great and sort of sad at the same time. I've been here the longest of any work I've been at in my life. I learned a lot and saw a lot. I think it was a good experience for, but I'm ready for something new. For the first time I felt what it feels to be unrecognized for the work you did. I just couldn't do it anymore.
That aside, the day was mellow. The earlier part of the week wasn't so. It was pretty busy, I'd say. I've been telling people about today for a while, so it wasn't a big surprise. Still, people couldn't believe that I was leaving today. We had a BBQ at the office for my send off. That was fun. A badminton set was even brought and played for a little bit, but it was too windy and cold, so that didn't last.
After lunch, my boss had sent an e-mail out to everyone in the company, noting today was my last day. I was given some kind words and I replied to everyone with my little send off letter. I received lots of instant messages and e-mails after that and also through the day wishing me luck and such. I even took an hour or so from my day to call and talk to the people that I worked with a lot over the years. It felt comforting that so many people said they would miss me and my help after I had left. Even if they were saying it to be nice, it sort of backed up my thoughts that my company would have an irreplaceable whole as I left. Big ego? Yeah...but whatever!
Anywho, I got all the contacts I wanted to keep in touch with and so the new chapter is about to unfold. In just over 4 days, I leave for Portland, to meet up with Laura. It's going to be the longest day ever. 17 hours of driving in 1 day. Dang. Will my car make it? It's a lot of miles and mountainous terrain to cover. Hopefully I'll be okay. I'm starting to think I should break it into 2 days, but I really don't want to spend the money to get a hotel and break the "rhythm" if I'm in a zone driving. When I drove 9 hours to Iowa, it really felt fast. I didn't even have music on while driving. It was weird.
Laura is in Oklahoma for Mother's Day. I miss her a lot! The pillows on her side of the bed has been untouched, mostly because I don't want to make it (not like I make it now), but it looks better if only 1 side of the bed is used. They dogs have been good, as well. Callie hasn't eaten in like 2 days and I think the throw-up I cleaned earlier was from her. Not positive, but likely. Kip is eating, so. They always seem to do this when Laura leaves. I think they like her more.
Well, I gotta get up early to drop off the car tomorrow at the shop to get a new muffler installed. I'm going to (if she wakes up) eat breakfast with Naomi in Fort Collins. Afterward, I may go climbing with Chris at Horsetooth if, again, he decides to push fixing his sprinkler with his Dad to later in the afternoon. Then back to Laramie. Hopefully the muffler doesn't cost more than last time, which was around $125 or so.
I don't want to do emissions in Portland, either, and get a new license. Ugh.
Well, I should head to bed. I miss you and love you, Laura. I can't wait to start the next chapter in Portland together! It will be great, but I know you will miss Laramie.
Today was my last day at work. It felt great and sort of sad at the same time. I've been here the longest of any work I've been at in my life. I learned a lot and saw a lot. I think it was a good experience for, but I'm ready for something new. For the first time I felt what it feels to be unrecognized for the work you did. I just couldn't do it anymore.
That aside, the day was mellow. The earlier part of the week wasn't so. It was pretty busy, I'd say. I've been telling people about today for a while, so it wasn't a big surprise. Still, people couldn't believe that I was leaving today. We had a BBQ at the office for my send off. That was fun. A badminton set was even brought and played for a little bit, but it was too windy and cold, so that didn't last.
After lunch, my boss had sent an e-mail out to everyone in the company, noting today was my last day. I was given some kind words and I replied to everyone with my little send off letter. I received lots of instant messages and e-mails after that and also through the day wishing me luck and such. I even took an hour or so from my day to call and talk to the people that I worked with a lot over the years. It felt comforting that so many people said they would miss me and my help after I had left. Even if they were saying it to be nice, it sort of backed up my thoughts that my company would have an irreplaceable whole as I left. Big ego? Yeah...but whatever!
Anywho, I got all the contacts I wanted to keep in touch with and so the new chapter is about to unfold. In just over 4 days, I leave for Portland, to meet up with Laura. It's going to be the longest day ever. 17 hours of driving in 1 day. Dang. Will my car make it? It's a lot of miles and mountainous terrain to cover. Hopefully I'll be okay. I'm starting to think I should break it into 2 days, but I really don't want to spend the money to get a hotel and break the "rhythm" if I'm in a zone driving. When I drove 9 hours to Iowa, it really felt fast. I didn't even have music on while driving. It was weird.
Laura is in Oklahoma for Mother's Day. I miss her a lot! The pillows on her side of the bed has been untouched, mostly because I don't want to make it (not like I make it now), but it looks better if only 1 side of the bed is used. They dogs have been good, as well. Callie hasn't eaten in like 2 days and I think the throw-up I cleaned earlier was from her. Not positive, but likely. Kip is eating, so. They always seem to do this when Laura leaves. I think they like her more.
Well, I gotta get up early to drop off the car tomorrow at the shop to get a new muffler installed. I'm going to (if she wakes up) eat breakfast with Naomi in Fort Collins. Afterward, I may go climbing with Chris at Horsetooth if, again, he decides to push fixing his sprinkler with his Dad to later in the afternoon. Then back to Laramie. Hopefully the muffler doesn't cost more than last time, which was around $125 or so.
I don't want to do emissions in Portland, either, and get a new license. Ugh.
Well, I should head to bed. I miss you and love you, Laura. I can't wait to start the next chapter in Portland together! It will be great, but I know you will miss Laramie.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
So it's been a while. Lots of things going to happen in the next few weeks.
Unfortunately, I'm still looking for a job, but, I am going to be moving to Portland on May 11th...crazy. I'll be driving out there and staying at a hotel for the month of May. Laura will be flying out and meeting me on the 12th and looking for a place to stay starting June 1st.
As far as work is concerned, my last day is May 7th. My notice is already in. Things haven't sunk in yet, in terms of money and all that, but, oh well.
I don't know when I'll be able to write next, but chances are, the next time I write, it'll be from Portland. Whether it would be from my hotel room or our house we're renting, I don't know.
Details and updates to come.
I was reading an article in my Wired magazine just tonight and read one snippet that made me think. I'll paraphrase what it stated, but I'll make it more into a "how to live by" sort of thing:
Define your life not by what you have done but by what you will be doing.
I'll pan more on that when I have time...
Unfortunately, I'm still looking for a job, but, I am going to be moving to Portland on May 11th...crazy. I'll be driving out there and staying at a hotel for the month of May. Laura will be flying out and meeting me on the 12th and looking for a place to stay starting June 1st.
As far as work is concerned, my last day is May 7th. My notice is already in. Things haven't sunk in yet, in terms of money and all that, but, oh well.
I don't know when I'll be able to write next, but chances are, the next time I write, it'll be from Portland. Whether it would be from my hotel room or our house we're renting, I don't know.
Details and updates to come.
I was reading an article in my Wired magazine just tonight and read one snippet that made me think. I'll paraphrase what it stated, but I'll make it more into a "how to live by" sort of thing:
Define your life not by what you have done but by what you will be doing.
I'll pan more on that when I have time...
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Laura got me a new laptop! It was a good deal via Walmart:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?dest=9999999997&product_id=13374563&sourceid=33308344211697658036
You might have some at your local Walmart!
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?dest=9999999997&product_id=13374563&sourceid=33308344211697658036
You might have some at your local Walmart!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 01, 2010
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
As I sit here in the breakfast nook in Laura's parent's house, with the snow starting to fall down, I think it's time to do a quick look-back at 2009. A year of ups and downs, stupid health problems, and the 'calm before the storm' (Laura and I moving next year), friends getting married, etc.
Really a year like any other, if you think about it. The big news were Chris and Alicia getting married, I think Laura passed her comps earlier this year...maybe, that might have been November of last year. I can't remember that far.
Next year is going to be a big move out of Laramie and into the unknown. It's like starting over again, in a sense. It'll sort of be a mirror of us moving into Laramie, some 4.5 years ago. That's a long time. Laura will be sort of "starting" school at a new place again, I'll have to find a job again, making new friends (maybe I don't need to make any friends since it's potentially just for a year?!), moving our stuff to a new house, settling in, etc.
Of all the things to be thankful for, it always comes back to Laura and how much she helps me through the year and that I don't do enough reciprocity. I love you and thank you for all that you do for me each and every minute, hour, day, and year.
Next year, I'm sure, will be yet another quick one in the end, but slow to start. I think it'll also be a big step toward the future as well as Laura finishes up her Ph.D.!
Anyway, thanks to all the family and friends that made this year what it was.
See you 2009 and welcome the '10s (tens??!!?).
Really a year like any other, if you think about it. The big news were Chris and Alicia getting married, I think Laura passed her comps earlier this year...maybe, that might have been November of last year. I can't remember that far.
Next year is going to be a big move out of Laramie and into the unknown. It's like starting over again, in a sense. It'll sort of be a mirror of us moving into Laramie, some 4.5 years ago. That's a long time. Laura will be sort of "starting" school at a new place again, I'll have to find a job again, making new friends (maybe I don't need to make any friends since it's potentially just for a year?!), moving our stuff to a new house, settling in, etc.
Of all the things to be thankful for, it always comes back to Laura and how much she helps me through the year and that I don't do enough reciprocity. I love you and thank you for all that you do for me each and every minute, hour, day, and year.
Next year, I'm sure, will be yet another quick one in the end, but slow to start. I think it'll also be a big step toward the future as well as Laura finishes up her Ph.D.!
Anyway, thanks to all the family and friends that made this year what it was.
See you 2009 and welcome the '10s (tens??!!?).
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wow, I didn't realize that I went 3 months without posting. Hard to imagine that I didn't even think of this blog during that time. Quite a bit of stuff has happened during this time. The biggest being that Chris and Alicia are now married...and still married. They had a good time in Hawaii and seem to be back in the same ol' groove, working and such.
This year we decided to have Thanksgiving with my Mom and sister in Niwot. It was a good time. Nephew and nieces are certainly weird! After the Thanksgiving lunch/dinner, I took some family photos of their family. Turned out okay, I think. I still need to practice people photography.
Laura and I are slowly getting into the mode of moving...well, at least I am! She has gotten interviews at 10 different places. It really sucks that we don't know where we'll be going until late February. She has to fly all around in mid-January, which is going to cost a shit-ton of money. I wish they would at least pay for the travel expenses if they get into the respective place they're interviewing at. Anyway, I think our main choices so far are Portland, OR, Oklahoma City, OK and Augusta, MA. I will probably tag along with her on the Maine interview. We're still not quite sure where we'll put our choices in order. It's a tough decision as there are a lot of factors that affect the decision.
Kip and Callie are both doing well. Being dicks as always! In a couple days we're heading down to Fort Collins for Ellen's graduation on Saturday. I'll bring my camcorder to take some videos of it all.
Other than that I'm getting more and more excited to leave our hell hole. I have been spending some time at working researching homes for rent. The best seems to be Oklahoma City in terms of housing prices and what you get for it. It's pretty awesome. Denver, Portland, and Maine are on the more expensive side. We'll see what we end up with. I am never, ever doing neighbors again, at least sharing the same fricken wall. What a stupid concept townhouses, duplexes, etc. are.
Also, I'm typing this blog on my new keyboard as well. I noticed the super slim, wireless keyboard on Amazon that I saw at Best Buy a while back for only $25, so I said why not. I did use Laura's myriad of $25 Amazon gift certificates, so it was actually free. It took a few days to get used to the "laptop feel", but now it's great. I love the laptop keyboard feel.
Anyway, until next time. Maybe I'll try and do one last blog for this year and wrap it up while I'm in OK for Christmas. I'm taking nearly 2 weeks off, so that's cool.
See ya.
This year we decided to have Thanksgiving with my Mom and sister in Niwot. It was a good time. Nephew and nieces are certainly weird! After the Thanksgiving lunch/dinner, I took some family photos of their family. Turned out okay, I think. I still need to practice people photography.
Laura and I are slowly getting into the mode of moving...well, at least I am! She has gotten interviews at 10 different places. It really sucks that we don't know where we'll be going until late February. She has to fly all around in mid-January, which is going to cost a shit-ton of money. I wish they would at least pay for the travel expenses if they get into the respective place they're interviewing at. Anyway, I think our main choices so far are Portland, OR, Oklahoma City, OK and Augusta, MA. I will probably tag along with her on the Maine interview. We're still not quite sure where we'll put our choices in order. It's a tough decision as there are a lot of factors that affect the decision.
Kip and Callie are both doing well. Being dicks as always! In a couple days we're heading down to Fort Collins for Ellen's graduation on Saturday. I'll bring my camcorder to take some videos of it all.
Other than that I'm getting more and more excited to leave our hell hole. I have been spending some time at working researching homes for rent. The best seems to be Oklahoma City in terms of housing prices and what you get for it. It's pretty awesome. Denver, Portland, and Maine are on the more expensive side. We'll see what we end up with. I am never, ever doing neighbors again, at least sharing the same fricken wall. What a stupid concept townhouses, duplexes, etc. are.
Also, I'm typing this blog on my new keyboard as well. I noticed the super slim, wireless keyboard on Amazon that I saw at Best Buy a while back for only $25, so I said why not. I did use Laura's myriad of $25 Amazon gift certificates, so it was actually free. It took a few days to get used to the "laptop feel", but now it's great. I love the laptop keyboard feel.
Anyway, until next time. Maybe I'll try and do one last blog for this year and wrap it up while I'm in OK for Christmas. I'm taking nearly 2 weeks off, so that's cool.
See ya.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
4 days until our mini vacation for the Summer. 4.5 days in St. Louis with Laura's grandparents and then 3.5 days in St. Charles with TJ and Ashley. Should be fun, to take a break from it all. I have some fun projects that I hope to accomplish while I'm there.
And yes, I'm still in climbing mode. I don't think I've put in the blog yet, but I did buy some gear for it...rope, rope bag, a carabiner, harness (for me and Laura), some slings/webbing, chalk bag...only thing I've left to get are shoes (been borrowing Trent's for now), ATC, and quickdraws...the latter being the most expensive at around $15-$16/piece and I suspect I would need around 10 or so to be able to do most sport routes, but not the super long, multi-pitch ones.
Oh well...my next BIG purchase is still a Nikon D90...mmmmm. I got a 50mm 1.8 lens for our 1st anniversary from Laura. I got her some pearl jewelry.
I can't believe it's been 1 year already (in 5 days)...I love you!!!!
And yes, I'm still in climbing mode. I don't think I've put in the blog yet, but I did buy some gear for it...rope, rope bag, a carabiner, harness (for me and Laura), some slings/webbing, chalk bag...only thing I've left to get are shoes (been borrowing Trent's for now), ATC, and quickdraws...the latter being the most expensive at around $15-$16/piece and I suspect I would need around 10 or so to be able to do most sport routes, but not the super long, multi-pitch ones.
Oh well...my next BIG purchase is still a Nikon D90...mmmmm. I got a 50mm 1.8 lens for our 1st anniversary from Laura. I got her some pearl jewelry.
I can't believe it's been 1 year already (in 5 days)...I love you!!!!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Yo,
So, it's just about 1.5 weeks until our 3 day hiking trip. I think we've got everything we need to get as far as preparation goes. Laura and I have tested our packs with a few pounds of gear and I think we're in good shape. Got some Powerbars for the trip and such too.
Lately I've been in the rock climbing mode. I've been bugging Trent to go to this new area he found that has some climbs that we haven't seen (not like we've seen a lot). I think Chris has the bug too since he's been wanting to get our own set of climbing gear. It looks like it'll be about $200 or so to get a beginner's set completed, including ropes, harnesses, caribiners, etc.
Anyway. We also bought tickets for our St. Louis/Chicago trip for August, as well as the Amtrak train tickets from St. Louis to Chicago since we won't have a car for this trip.
That's about it for news. Same ol' working and stuff. I've been trying to take more intermediate vacations since I never seem to use them, but this year I will try to use them all since it'll be my last year here.
Well, I'll leave it at that for now.
Later.
So, it's just about 1.5 weeks until our 3 day hiking trip. I think we've got everything we need to get as far as preparation goes. Laura and I have tested our packs with a few pounds of gear and I think we're in good shape. Got some Powerbars for the trip and such too.
Lately I've been in the rock climbing mode. I've been bugging Trent to go to this new area he found that has some climbs that we haven't seen (not like we've seen a lot). I think Chris has the bug too since he's been wanting to get our own set of climbing gear. It looks like it'll be about $200 or so to get a beginner's set completed, including ropes, harnesses, caribiners, etc.
Anyway. We also bought tickets for our St. Louis/Chicago trip for August, as well as the Amtrak train tickets from St. Louis to Chicago since we won't have a car for this trip.
That's about it for news. Same ol' working and stuff. I've been trying to take more intermediate vacations since I never seem to use them, but this year I will try to use them all since it'll be my last year here.
Well, I'll leave it at that for now.
Later.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Hello...
So I'm about to do more stuff on our wedding video that I finally started to do. Anyway, I miss Laura! She's been gone for only 2 days. I think she's having fun, but the baby's quite the work.
Nothing new. Callie seems to still be recovering. She's using it more, so that's good. She gets her sutures out on Thursday. Hopefully the wound doesn't open or something.
The other small thing I wanted to say was that I was looking at some photo galleries today, but not just any photo gallery. This was a collection of pictures that were taken by blind folks. Pretty interesting to see and it had a weird atmosphere to to all the pictures, if that makes sense, for obvious reasons. But anyway, to get to the point, one of the quotes from one of the photographers went something along the lines of:
"...I may be blind, but I haven't lost my vision."
I just thought that line was a pretty strong phrase...it invokes a lot of thoughts in my mind.
I was going to write about it a little, but I think I'm going to just work on the wedding video. I've been tired lately!
So I'm about to do more stuff on our wedding video that I finally started to do. Anyway, I miss Laura! She's been gone for only 2 days. I think she's having fun, but the baby's quite the work.
Nothing new. Callie seems to still be recovering. She's using it more, so that's good. She gets her sutures out on Thursday. Hopefully the wound doesn't open or something.
The other small thing I wanted to say was that I was looking at some photo galleries today, but not just any photo gallery. This was a collection of pictures that were taken by blind folks. Pretty interesting to see and it had a weird atmosphere to to all the pictures, if that makes sense, for obvious reasons. But anyway, to get to the point, one of the quotes from one of the photographers went something along the lines of:
"...I may be blind, but I haven't lost my vision."
I just thought that line was a pretty strong phrase...it invokes a lot of thoughts in my mind.
I was going to write about it a little, but I think I'm going to just work on the wedding video. I've been tired lately!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
So, as I sit here, listening to some Sister Hazel via acoustic, I wanted to get down some thoughts I had.
A little bit ago I was out north of Laramie, thinking the sunset conditions were pretty good. It was and I got some pretty good shots - flickr.com/photos/jamyam
Anywho, the part I wanted to write down was when I was out there, there was a couple of moments where it was completely silent. The only thing I "heard" was the wind blowing into my ears. And then I thought...hm...when was the last time it was this quiet? The only recent time I could think of that was when I went snow shoeing with Laura and her family in the Snowy's. I remember standing there and it was totally quiet...or was it? Not completely 100%. Why? I heard cars off the distance...it's amazing how far away you can hear cars from.
[Ugh, let me go let Kip out, he's barking...]
Ok, back. So, back to what I was saying. Even when the cars were like a 1/2+ mile away, I could hear them. It was kinda...annoying. Standing out in the middle of nowhere (basically) and hearing noise is probably one of the worst things. But, when the cars didn't come by for like a few minutes, it was crazy silent. It's cliche, but it really was deafening silence. It was a nice moment of relaxation, I guess.
When you think about it - when does an "average" person ever experience total silence? I say almost never, unless you're the outdoor type, and even then it's hard to get unless you're in places where few ever are. Even when you think things are silent, I'm sure there is a lot of noise that you just don't register...ambient noise of the computer fan, cars in the distance making a slight hum, even a light bulb's noise.
I can't wait to go on our 2-day backpacking trip...yes, I'm dreading the few hour hike in, then out, but this should be a place where I shouldn't hear cars for miles. I won't have anything electronic with me. Things will be TOTALLY silent, aside from the animals, if any, that are scouring around. The wilderness is a cool place...thoughts and moments like this make me like choosing Natural Resources as a major.
I think it should be everyone's goal in life to experience silence some time in their life, whether it be to reflect, get away, whatever. Enjoy the outdoors while we have it.
Well, Laura's back...and we still need to do a lot to get ready for our Baltimore trip!
A little bit ago I was out north of Laramie, thinking the sunset conditions were pretty good. It was and I got some pretty good shots - flickr.com/photos/jamyam
Anywho, the part I wanted to write down was when I was out there, there was a couple of moments where it was completely silent. The only thing I "heard" was the wind blowing into my ears. And then I thought...hm...when was the last time it was this quiet? The only recent time I could think of that was when I went snow shoeing with Laura and her family in the Snowy's. I remember standing there and it was totally quiet...or was it? Not completely 100%. Why? I heard cars off the distance...it's amazing how far away you can hear cars from.
[Ugh, let me go let Kip out, he's barking...]
Ok, back. So, back to what I was saying. Even when the cars were like a 1/2+ mile away, I could hear them. It was kinda...annoying. Standing out in the middle of nowhere (basically) and hearing noise is probably one of the worst things. But, when the cars didn't come by for like a few minutes, it was crazy silent. It's cliche, but it really was deafening silence. It was a nice moment of relaxation, I guess.
When you think about it - when does an "average" person ever experience total silence? I say almost never, unless you're the outdoor type, and even then it's hard to get unless you're in places where few ever are. Even when you think things are silent, I'm sure there is a lot of noise that you just don't register...ambient noise of the computer fan, cars in the distance making a slight hum, even a light bulb's noise.
I can't wait to go on our 2-day backpacking trip...yes, I'm dreading the few hour hike in, then out, but this should be a place where I shouldn't hear cars for miles. I won't have anything electronic with me. Things will be TOTALLY silent, aside from the animals, if any, that are scouring around. The wilderness is a cool place...thoughts and moments like this make me like choosing Natural Resources as a major.
I think it should be everyone's goal in life to experience silence some time in their life, whether it be to reflect, get away, whatever. Enjoy the outdoors while we have it.
Well, Laura's back...and we still need to do a lot to get ready for our Baltimore trip!