Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre

Has he lost his mind? Can he see or is he blind?

newsspice@yahoo.com — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:55:20 GMT

I have not been a very good blogger lately. I mean I did blog about the important things like my Mom and Teh Deployment but not about me or what we've been doing.

I will remedy that situation forthwith!! This is the first weekend in a long time that I've felt rested. Last weekend was busy and fun but I was so tired by the time it was over that it ended up being a 3 day weekend. My body was unhappy and I probably would have gotten sick if I kept up my frenzied pace. So I stayed home and did projects around the house. The rest of the week was good and this past weekend was lovely. It was very Pacific Northwest. We went to Powell's and I bought a vegetarian cookbook I've been drooling on ever since I checked it out from the library. Then we went to Cork to check out their new beer selection and ended the day at The Concordia Alehouse for some lovely Pacific NW beers.

Today we exercised and then saw Iron Man at Cinetopia. The movie fookin' rocked and Robert Downey Jr. is hott!!!! Who new? I can't wait until the next movie but will bide my time with the new Hellboy and Indiana Jones movie. I should probably take in an art-house movie to balance out the machismo.

I keep finding new music that needs a home in my iPod. The list is getting long but my bank account has other ideas. It doesn't help that Death Cab For Cutie's new album drops tomorrow. WAH!!!

So that, as they say, is that. Nothing too exciting to report. I need to start taking pictures again.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

newsspice@yahoo.com — Sun, 11 May 2008 16:00:32 GMT

My mom believes that when she dies she will come back as a goose.
I tell her that's fine just as long as she doesn't poop.
When the geese fly over her house she tells them it's not time yet.

My mom is not afraid to swear and when she hires people she tells
them she often says, "fuck."

My mom once called a local DJ a "wiener."

My mom feels that a purse is not a purse unless you can put a pair of shoes in it.

My mom taught me that you can never spend too much money on a haircut and that it's
a crime against all things good if I don't vote. (Which I do. And often. I forgot to vote once
when I was in college and she read me the riot act.)

My mom taught me that you're never too old to climb mountains.

Just look to your soul and open your mind

newsspice@yahoo.com — Sat, 03 May 2008 19:26:32 GMT

For those of you who are not boaters, today is what is called Opening Day. It is the day that officially kicks off the boating season and is complete with boat parades and parties. Kind of like The Garden Season but with less hats and fancy drinks and more anchors and beer. Because it's Opening Day, everyone is running around trying to get organized and launch their boats - which makes them cranky. I had one ass-hat tell me I was giving him attitude. I wanted to remind him that I was only responding his Uppity Rich Asshole Entitlement Attitude but I didn't. I apologized and simply went about my business.

The Arrival of Opening Day also means my social calendar is swamped with Garden Parties and Personal Appearances. Tonight I'm going over to my boss's house for his 60th birthday party and tomorrow we're going over to spirit_dragon's haus to visit La Nina and have crafty fun. We're going to try and hit Powell's either before or after The Visit and hit the new Deschutes Brew Pub. Monday is Neighborhood Association Meeting. I'm sure we'll get at least 5 people this time. *rolls eyes* I still have to prepare for the meeting. No time! No time!

On the exercise front, things are going well. I ran three times this week and I'm up to half an hour now. I need to exercise at least 5 times a week but I can only seem to eek out 4 days.

And on that note, I must run and eat lunch before I pass out.

Carry on.

I'm in your hallway standing on a cliff

newsspice@yahoo.com — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:36:10 GMT

There are a few things in this world that make me feel out of balance. One of them is lack of woods time the other is lack of culture. I managed to remedy both symptoms this weekend in two fell swoops.

I went and saw Oya: Call The Storm last night at the Milagro Theatre and enjoyed myself. The performers were amazing physical actors and the woman who played Oya seemed to embody the spirit of Oya. I understood the actors when they spoke Spanish and was pleased with myself. I planned to go to a nice wine bar after the show but my morning workout caught up with me so I went home and crashed. I sat next to a man who was a cross between Crispin Glover and Ira Glass. He and his hipster girlfriend had an animated discussion about a mutual friend and at one point he said, "If she and kitten were in an epic battle the kitten would win."

Yeah.

So today I had to work AGAIN but I made up for it by going on a hike after work. I went to Lacamas Trail and hiked for about an hour. The trail was PACKED with people and dogs but I managed to get out of there feeling whole again. A film crew was there shooting by the river. I gawked but only for a minute. The costumes were nice.

I am whole again and just in time to distribute 8.9 billion newsletters. But before I do that I get to go see baby Hazel tomorrow. Wooot!!!

We'll bitch about life and chug-a-lug bleach

newsspice@yahoo.com — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:15:36 GMT

When my boss left work on Friday she came into my office and said, "You'll probably want to wear your running shoes tomorrow. It's going to be busy." I agreed with her because the weather is gorgeous today and the boaters get itchy. Apparently the boaters are either already out in the river or at home doing some last minute lawn and garden maintenance because it is dead here. Not that I'm complaining. I have a list of projects to get done today and the quiet will make it go faster.

It's been a busy week here in Lake Woebegon. I had lots of work projects to do which upped my stress level and decreased my exercise time. I ran today and my body was SO not interested. I finished my run, barely.

Tonight after work Ian and I will go to Things From Another Planet to pick up his comics and then next door to The Brew for dinner. As usual, I will stand outside Dark Horse looking very professional and trustworthy with hopes they'll hire me to uh.. do something.

After our adventures in Milwaukie, I will gallivant to The Miracle Theatre to see Oya: Call The Storm.

I have to work tomorrow. Which sucks. But the money does not.

And finally, it totally unrelated news, maxomai and I are going for the world record of LJ comments by posting the lyrics to The Dead Milkmen's Song, "Bleach Boys" in his blog comments. I giggle every time I post a new lyric.

Yeah, I'm a dork.

Nick Cave: The Cure For What Ails You

newsspice@yahoo.com — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:52:55 GMT

It can be said that my commute to work most Tuesday mornings is not a pleasant one. For one thing, I have to get to work early which means I have to sit in rush hour (or would that be snail hour?) traffic. Second, people in this neck of the woods don't know how to merge which means getting on to the interstate is a test in defensive driving. This Tuesday wasn't any different, except it was raining. Since it NEVER rains here people drove extra slow and did not merge AT ALL.

To avoid vehicular homicide on my fellow commuters, I reached for my Ipod and set it to shuffle. The second song to shuffle through was Tupelo by my husband, Nick Cave. He growled and snarled told me no sleep run this deep. The energy from the songs lifted my spirits. I listened to him all the way to work and it put me in a much better mood.

I listened to him on the way home tonight and my world was a bit more peaceful when I arrived at home.

Who knew?

I ain't a down here for your love
I'm down here for your soul.

Goosestep's the new step today

newsspice@yahoo.com — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:54:02 GMT

It's amazing what 10 hours of sleep can do for one's outlook on life. I woke up this morning feeling more alive than I have in a week. Problems don't seem as big anymore and it's comforting in a way.

Work is quiet today and that's fine with me. I had to argue with a German guy about why he couldn't move his boat into a new slip until the current lessee cancels his lease. His son called him a "cranky old kraut". I laughed.

I've been getting caught up on little projects and finally got the Neighborhood Newsletter written and mailed off to the printers. That means we get to blanket the 'hood with newsletters for the next two weeks. Oh joy!

Groceries after work today and then pasta e fagioli for dinner. I'm going to check out the shiny new Fred Meyer's on SR-14. I hope they have a good wine department. My life is so exciting.

Tomorrow I have to get back on the exercise wagon. I have to run and do something else. The something else depends on how crowded the pool is when I'm done running.

Jane! You igorant slut!

newsspice@yahoo.com — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 18:27:10 GMT

As per the previous entry, it's been a stressful week here. Hopefully Monday's visit to the mechanic will be the LAST visit for a long time. It's getting really old getting into our car and wondering if it's going to stall. I decided to not take any chances and rented a car for the weekend for my own peace of mind.

I work again tomorrow and then I'm done with Sundays. It's been hard to do these longer weeks because I don't feel rested when I come back to work. I have meetings and other crap to do on Monday so I'll be running around like a chicken with it's head off.

The good news is that Cork was having a wine and chocolate tasting last night so I went and tasted. Fun was had and it was a nice end to a crappy week. They were tasting some lovely inexpensive wines so I had to buy a few. :D I think tomorrow after work I might have to do Something Fun. Not sure what that will be yet but I have time.

Well, work is starting to pick up again (despite warnings for the STORM that hasn't arrived) so I should pretend I work here.

I can lock all my doors it's the only way to live in cars .

newsspice@yahoo.com — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:03:53 GMT

When I was in college I did a Very Bad Thing by letting the air out of the tires of a small penis mobile. The jackass who owned said vehicle decided it would be fun to park his truck with one tire on a rock blocking the trail head of my favorite camping spot. This week, I believe the kharma for that has finally come to swat me in the ass.

We have been dealing with car issues for two fookin' weeks now and I just want to drive the damn thing into the river. We had it fixed on Monday and it stalled on me this evening on my way home. Luckily, the mechanics at our garage are bound and determined to fix the stupid car and been researching the problem for two days. They called this afternoon and said they they are 99% sure they know what is causing the problem. I'm going to bring the car in tomorrow morning and HOPEFULLY, Volundir willing, the damned thing will be fixed once and for all. If not, The Columbia river is getting a donation.

With all this car drama comes stress and crappy sleep. I haven't been exercising as much as I should and that bothers me. If I was a better person I wouldn't be so hard on myself but I'm not. I'm a Virgo. I make lists and I worry.

Anyone have a winning lottery ticket they want to share?

I'm here if you want to keep me near, much further away than I appear

newsspice@yahoo.com — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:28:42 GMT

The management apologizes for the lack of Saturday blathering on this blog. It was interrupted by crowds of dreamy boaters who thought the 70-degree weather is going to last and last. Little do they know the rain is supposed to come back this afternoon.

It was a busy and stressful week here in Lake Woebegon. We had to bring the car in on Monday only to have it die again on Friday. They told us it was one of two things and I had them fix the cheap thing. Unfortunately, it looks like the expensive thing is the problem, of course. So tomorrow we get to deal with tow trucks and mechanics again. Oh joy.

Speaking of joy, I get to work today for four hours and I *get* to work four hours next Sunday as well. Management decided the Leasing Office needed to be open on Sundays during the "busy season" but stupidly forgot the person they had scheduled to do it is on vacation. Ugh. They promised me time and a half so I won't bitch. It will pay for the car repairs but I would have rather spent on something fun like a dinner.

On the exercise front, things are going well. My goal has been to exercise for 5 days but things always come up and I can only do it for 4. If I was really hard-core I'd ride my bike to work today and have Ian come pick me up, but I'm not. If I get in three runs in a week, I'm happy. I have a couple more weeks of the 5K podcasts before they start a new 10K series. I am going to continue with the interval training because it's a great way to track my progress.

And on that note, I should really go eat something before my blood sugar gets any lower.

Travelin'

newsspice@yahoo.com — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 17:20:00 GMT

Hmmm... maybe I should join the military so I can say I've been to such exotic locations like Oklahoma. Or not.

create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

I have nothing to report

newsspice@yahoo.com — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:04:03 GMT

Work was really busy and then it just died. I've had a shit day so I'm going this meme stolen from eternaluxe

1. Go to www.flickr.com
2. Type in your answer to the question in the "search" box
3. Use only the first page
4. Copy the html and paste for the answer

1. What is your first name?

2. What is your favorite food?

3. What high school did you go to?

LOL This is *not* my high school.

4. What is your favorite color?

5. Who is your celebrity crush?
Male:

Female:

6. Who is your favorite Disney princess?
I did a search for "none" and this is what I got.

7. Favorite drink?

and

8. Dream vacation?

9. Favorite dessert?

10. What do you want to be when you grow up?

11. What do you love most in life?

12. One word to describe you?

13. What do you dream about?

Hot Meme action!

newsspice@yahoo.com — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:24:03 GMT

It's 7:14 p.m. I'm ready for bed. But, unfortunately, it's not time for bed. So instead here's a meme I stole from dryad271

Age: 34

Where did you grow up: Fargo, ND. According to Wikipedia, it was once named Centralia. Funny.

WHAT DO YOU CALL:

1. A body of water, smaller than a river, contained within relatively narrow banks.
It's a creek!!! A crick is something you get in your neck.

2. What the thing you push around the grocery store is called.
If I was in England it would be a trolley but here it's a shopping cart.

3. A metal container to carry a meal in.
lunch box

4. The thing that you cook bacon and eggs in.
pan

5. The piece of furniture that seats three people.

I knew people who used the word "davenport" but I think they did it because it made them sound "smart". I call it a sofa or a couch.

6. The device on the outside of the house that carries rain off the roof.
Gutter

7. The covered area outside a house where people sit in the evening.
Patio or porch

8. Carbonated, sweetened, non-alcoholic beverages.
I used to call it pop until I moved west and people made fun of me for it. Now I call it soda.

9. A flat, round breakfast food served with syrup.
pancake

10. A long sandwich designed to be a whole meal in itself.
Sub... but we used to call them grinders.

11. The piece of clothing worn by men at the beach.
Speedos? Swim trunks? Nothing?

12. Shoes worn for sports.
I call them tennis shoes

13. Putting a room in order.
Picking up

14. A flying insect that glows in the dark.
Firefly

15. The little insect that curls up into a ball.
Uh.... Grendel?

16. The children's playground equipment where one kid sits on one side and goes up while the
Teeter totter

17. How do you eat your pizza?
If there are only a few toppings I just use my hands. If it's an Uber Veggie pizza then I use a fork.

18. What's it called when private citizens put up signs and sell their used stuff?
Yard sale, garage sale.. take your pick.

19. What's the evening meal?
Dinner. I had a friend that used to call "lunch" supper and drove me batty.

20. The thing under a house where the furnace and perhaps a rec room are?
Basement

21. What do you call the thing that you can get water out of to drink in public places?
water fountain.

'Cos I'm writing to reach you but I might never reach you

newsspice@yahoo.com — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:44:23 GMT

The universe was conspiring against me this morning and doing it's best to prevent me from exercising. We had to take the car to the garage this morning and I dropped Ian off at work when that errand was done. My plan was to go to the gym and exercise but I stopped and got a breakfast burrito before my blood sugar got any lower and came home. I got my stuff together and went to the gym only to find that I forgot my headphones. No biggie. I can just swim.

Nope. All three lanes were full of swimmers.

So I went home and got my headphones and then went back to the gym. I almost forgot my gym pass but remembered it halfway down the block from home and went back to get it. I finally got to the gym with all my required pieces and toys about a half an hour after I really wanted to be there. Take that Universe! I didn't feel like jogging around the small track at the gym for 25 minutes so I jogged outside and found a nice little park with a path. One loop took me about 7 minutes so I was able to time it nicely. After that I lifted weights and came home.

I plan on slacking for the rest of the day. It's too cold and wet to do anything productive. Besides, I got all of my chores done yesterday so my list is fairly small right now.

Too funny

newsspice@yahoo.com — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:43:25 GMT

I got this from my co-worker.

I Did It, Bitches! Pt Deux

newsspice@yahoo.com — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:12:29 GMT

Today's PodRunner Intervals upped the ante and I ran for 25 minutes this time. They let me slide the past two times by having me do 2 ten-minute intervals with a few breaks thrown in. But not today. I did not stop or collect $200. Ian was a witness to this event so there is proof. :) I'm not as tired as I was last week so that's good. The 15 minute mark was hard but I managed to get past that and keep going. Next week is going to be hard because there are no breaks from here on out. Ugh. I've been more active in my exercising and I've added some swim time. My bike should be fixed this afternoon so that will be thrown into the mix tomorrow depending on the weather. Hoorray!

In other news, it was a busy week and I know I did something but I'm not sure what. We're having a fund raiser tonight at work for an organization that takes autistic kids out on boat rides. I haven't decided if I want to go or not. It should be fun but I'm not sure if I feel like mingling with our tenants.

And last but not least, I got an e-mail from my mom and she said my grandpa will have some radiation next week to zap the spots on his liver and after that he will be cancer free! Huzzah!!! Thanks to everyone who sent healing energy. We believe that everyone's thoughts and prayers helped him recovery quickly and get through this.

Run for the Roses the bigger it opens the sooner it closes.

newsspice@yahoo.com — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:44:04 GMT

The five-mile list has been pared down to a couple of items I can do later in the week. We had a nice, relaxing weekend and I cooked up a storm. Which is good because now I don't have to cook for a couple of days.

I started my first day of training for the triathlon today. My legs are a bit cranky but I managed to exercise w/o dying. It was nice swimming after my run and I didn't get tired like I usually do when I swim. I guess I'm doing something right. The nice thing about bringing Ian to work at 8 is that I can go to the gym after that and avoid the mid-morning mommy rush. I hate jogging when the women have their strollers on the track. They are ruthless and will run you over. I got a bunch of things done this morning and had to go to Gi Joe's today and buy some new water shoes and tubes for my bike tires. I'm so high-speed.

That's all I have to report for now.

Carry on.

Storm!!!!

newsspice@yahoo.com — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:39:17 GMT

For those of you who don't live here, the weather has been really strange all week. It hails for ten minutes, snows for ten minutes, rains for ten minutes and the sun comes out for ten minutes. Last night we had a short thunderstorm.

On Friday before work Ian went outside without chains or MRE's and stood in the "blizzard". I was concerned about his safety so I took this picture instead.

Adagio for sore muscles

newsspice@yahoo.com — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:55:50 GMT

For the past five weeks (give or take a week when I slacked) I have been running and walking to Podrunner Intervals. It starts off slowly and eventually works you up to running a 5K in about nine weeks. It's been a blessing for me because I get tired of exercising to the same music all the time. This week they kicked it up a bit and I ran two 8-minute intervals, walked for 5 minutes and then did the usual warm up and cool downs. These were a challenge but I didn't feel like I was going to die. Today's podcast, however, was "If you have an ass you won't have one by the end of this workout!" day. I didn't go to the gym this morning so I went to the track by the elementary school near my house instead. When I was walking there the DJ introduced the podcast and said, "Today you'll warm up for 5 minutes and run for 20 minutes". Oh joy. Part of me started making excuses about not being able to do it but then a voice chimed in and said, "You can do this."

And I did.

I wasn't sure if I could do it w/o stopping but I didn't stop once. When I was done I yelled, "I did it bitches!!!" I don't think the crows and ravens in the surrounding trees liked being called bitches.

So it's been a good day but I'm tired now.

That's all for now. I might write more later when I have more energy.

Work is for the weak!!!

newsspice@yahoo.com — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:57:42 GMT

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I had just moved out here from Montana and I was working in radio. I was still getting used to Portland and Vancouver and getting lost a lot. I think Ian moved out here in April 10 years ago.

What were you doing 1 year ago?
Waiting impatiently for Ian to come home from Afghanistan.

Five snacks you enjoy:
1. Mixed nuts
2. Guacamole
3. Trader Joe's roasted red pepper tomato hummus
4. raw veggies with a good dip
5. The snacks provided by Cork during their tastings

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1. Quit my job
2. Go to Europe for a long vacation
3. Come home and solve all the world's problems
4. Build a real wine cellar
5. Build a house

Five bad habits:
1. Worrying about stupid shit I can't control
2. Not able to sit still very well
4. Slacking at work (which I'm doing now!)
5. Doing too much and getting overwhelmed and not doing anything

Five things you like doing:
1. Hiking
2. Drinking wine
3. Reading
4. Supporting the arts
5. Filling out stupid memes

Five things you would never wear again:
1. Stirrup pants
2. My pink paisley button down shirt
3. Anything day-glow
4. Poison t-shirts
5. Size 4 jeans

Five favorite toys:
1. iPod
2. Computer
3. Ian
4. hiking boots

Oh what a circus! Oh what a show!

newsspice@yahoo.com — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:41:33 GMT

So it's been an interesting couple of days in Clark County. First some kids find a parachute that may or may not belong to DB Cooper.. then on the way to work today there was some exciting police action along SR-500. I gawked like everyone else but couldn't see anything. Turns out a mentally ill man was last seen digging for buried treasure there and the tunnel he made might have collapsed.

Of course the most exciting news of all is I make my debut as queen of the North Image Neighborhood Association tonight. I have made my lists and prepared my agenda and have sort-of gone over what I'm going to say. I'm a little nervous but I doubt they are expecting any sort of Evita Peron-esque speeches. I'll polish my tiara just in case.

And last, but certainly not least, I have decided I'm going to do a triathlon in September right before my 35th birthday. My co-worker has been bugging me to do it and I've already started running I just need to master the bike and swim part. The one I'm planning on doing is in The Gorge and I'm going to do the "mini-triathlon". Which is swim half a mile, bike 7 miles (or so) and then run 3 miles. I can do that. I'll probably have to get my shots before I swim in the Columbia River but hey! If my mom can climb mountains and run 5 miles in her 50s I can do this. Plus, I need a reason other than getting in shape to get me out of bed in the morning.

So that's all the news that's fit to type. Work has been slow today due to the impending STORM so I might do a meme later today. Just wanted to warn you.

Pic O' The Day .. sometime last week

newsspice@yahoo.com — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:03:14 GMT

I wandered around downtown Vancouver last Sunday and took a few pictures. This is building hosts an architectural firm. I think it should be an art museum but they never listen to me.

I'm a leaving in a postal truck

newsspice@yahoo.com — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:01:14 GMT

Last week Phil protected the statements from terrorists. We think he wanted to be stamped and mailed.

I know what I know I’ll sing what I said

newsspice@yahoo.com — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:32:51 GMT

Work has slowed down to a dull roar giving me time to do my usual Saturday Blathering. The day is sunny and the birds are chirping. It's spring and people's minds wander to boating. My boss came in and asked if we had any boat slips left and I told him no and I should go home.

I'm still here.

The week was busy and frantic and I keep forgetting to buy creamer. I used up all the milk this morning and I doubt Ian will let me in the house tonight unless I'm carrying both items in a bag. I went to a wine tasting at Cork on Wednesday and tasted Super Italians. Much fun was had by all and I chatted with a couple about traveling. They had been to Africa last year and I told them my mom had been there as well. They asked if it "changed her" when she came back and I pointed out that she has been to Nepal (twice!) and was "changed" after those adventures. I'm sure Africa was "old hat" by then. :D They were duly impressed.

On Thursday we had dinner with some friends and we were all tired from work. Next time we get together for dinner it needs to be on a weekend when we have more pep. Dinner was good but the conversation wasn't as exciting as it could be.

Tonight is dinner and crafty fun at spirit_dragon's haus. We had to get in one more hurrah before she whelps. We're hoping she'll wait to give birth until after dinner and crafty fun. So far no frantic phone calls so that's good.

Next week is going to be busy as well. We're having our first neighborhood meeting since I was crowned NA Queen. I have to get my notes and other shit together so I don't sound like a dumb ass.

In other news, my grandpa is out of the hospital and healing nicely. He is getting around OK and enjoying time in the sun and in His Chair. My mom leaves Arizona today to head back to the tundra that is Fargo. She's spent a week in the sun only to come back to 6-inches of snow. Fun!!

Well, I should really eat something before more customers come in and demand my time.

Wildlife

newsspice@yahoo.com — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 20:31:31 GMT

We had some exciting backyard critters make an appearance today. Three opossums came out of hiding and wandered around our backyard and then went back to their respective trees and fences. I took pictures of two of them.