This time it has to do with social media and what the American people treat as "news". Why is it that when I attempt to look up the news on the Honduras Coup and what is going on in Iran I am inundated with news of Michael Jackson and some guy that used to "star" on annoying infomercials?
Is this what the American people really want to read about nowadays? How is this "news" anyways? I think there is another word for it: Gossip. And when since did gossip become more important than news that affects the world around us?
An informed public is a smart public. An uninformed public is, well, you fill in the blank.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Turtles in Antarctica?
This is so me right now.
While I am sitting here attempting to work, my mind keeps wandering towards other things...
Unfortunately, 4pm is creeping towards me slower than my sister in Antarctica. Or a turtle. Or water down a drain pipe. Hmm, maybe there has been a slight success, I was just wondering about tourism and the actuality of drain pipes in Antarctica.. rather than, op no, there it is again ;)
While I am sitting here attempting to work, my mind keeps wandering towards other things...Unfortunately, 4pm is creeping towards me slower than my sister in Antarctica. Or a turtle. Or water down a drain pipe. Hmm, maybe there has been a slight success, I was just wondering about tourism and the actuality of drain pipes in Antarctica.. rather than, op no, there it is again ;)
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Deschutes 21st Anniversary Celebration!
This Saturday B, K and I went to the Pearl to celebrate the birthday of one of my favorite brewery's.. Deschutes!
While it was originally advertised as a block party, they were unable to obtain a permit from the city, so indoors it went, as did the live band and $2.10 pints. When we actually got there, however, there were more people milling around on the sidewalk with their drinks than inside the bar which reminded me slightly of what it felt like to be walking around outside in Vegas (well, it was a little different being that in Vegas I had a 60 oz container filled with an icy Pina Colada.. but I digress).
Even though there were 100's of people milling about, K noticed that there was only one person on the waiting list for a table outside... so on the list we go and about 30 minutes later we are given a seat.
The beers were great, as usual, and the new Black Butte XXI was excellent. There was something about the chocolaty goodness that kept me going back for more and more.. Too much apparently since, because of it, I have learned the hard way that when K decides to challenge me to anything in the future the answer from now on is going to be a resounding no. No no no no no, and no.
Oh, and the Habenero sauce?
Best taken in limited quantities.
While it was originally advertised as a block party, they were unable to obtain a permit from the city, so indoors it went, as did the live band and $2.10 pints. When we actually got there, however, there were more people milling around on the sidewalk with their drinks than inside the bar which reminded me slightly of what it felt like to be walking around outside in Vegas (well, it was a little different being that in Vegas I had a 60 oz container filled with an icy Pina Colada.. but I digress).Even though there were 100's of people milling about, K noticed that there was only one person on the waiting list for a table outside... so on the list we go and about 30 minutes later we are given a seat.
The beers were great, as usual, and the new Black Butte XXI was excellent. There was something about the chocolaty goodness that kept me going back for more and more.. Too much apparently since, because of it, I have learned the hard way that when K decides to challenge me to anything in the future the answer from now on is going to be a resounding no. No no no no no, and no.
Oh, and the Habenero sauce?
Best taken in limited quantities.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Why did you fall from the tree little dove?
Yesterday, while sitting at my mom's house chatting, my sister R noticed the neighbor cat out the window.
"Ah look, it's Buttons!... Wait... What is.... BUTTONS! YOU LEAVE THAT BIRD ALONE!!" she yelled as she frantically dropped everything and rushed out the door.
We quickly followed and found a little baby dove quivering by the curb on the street.
He was missing feathers by his neck and lower back, and had a pretty ugly wound that was oozing blood. I was afraid that he would bite me if I tried to pick him up, so we gingerly eased him into a box and brought the poor little guy into the house.
After I found that he was so docile, I picked him up and showed him a little love. The poor little guy was so scared, but we did what we had to do and poured hydrogen peroxide over his wounds (he started breathing very heavily as we did so, so I knew the liquid was doing its job..).
They say that after a bird is bitten by a cat that there is something in the cat's saliva that is poisonous to birds. I don't know how true this is, and when I left he was doing quite well. He could move his wings, his bleeding had mostly stopped and he was breathing normally.
Currently I am waiting for a report, but I have high hopes.
If we are unable to find the nest, or someone to take care of him, I have agreed to take on the task of nursing him back to health and eventually letting him go back into the wild.. I am such a sucker for animals, especially hurt, helpless little babies.
Isnt he so cute tho?? :D
UPDATE: The Birdie survived the night and was given to someone who has experience raising doves. Lucky little guy :)
"Ah look, it's Buttons!... Wait... What is.... BUTTONS! YOU LEAVE THAT BIRD ALONE!!" she yelled as she frantically dropped everything and rushed out the door.
We quickly followed and found a little baby dove quivering by the curb on the street.
He was missing feathers by his neck and lower back, and had a pretty ugly wound that was oozing blood. I was afraid that he would bite me if I tried to pick him up, so we gingerly eased him into a box and brought the poor little guy into the house.
After I found that he was so docile, I picked him up and showed him a little love. The poor little guy was so scared, but we did what we had to do and poured hydrogen peroxide over his wounds (he started breathing very heavily as we did so, so I knew the liquid was doing its job..).They say that after a bird is bitten by a cat that there is something in the cat's saliva that is poisonous to birds. I don't know how true this is, and when I left he was doing quite well. He could move his wings, his bleeding had mostly stopped and he was breathing normally.
Currently I am waiting for a report, but I have high hopes.
If we are unable to find the nest, or someone to take care of him, I have agreed to take on the task of nursing him back to health and eventually letting him go back into the wild.. I am such a sucker for animals, especially hurt, helpless little babies.
Isnt he so cute tho?? :D
UPDATE: The Birdie survived the night and was given to someone who has experience raising doves. Lucky little guy :)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Fairy Tales are for Children.
Who creates these fairy tales that we, as American society, simply buy into as the way things are supposed to be?
You know what I am talking about.
You meet someone, fall in love, get married, buy a house, have children and live happily ever after.
Does this ever really happen anymore?
Wouldn't the more realistic approach be more like:
You meet someone, have great times for a while and you go your separate ways. You then buy your own house and live there all by yourself otherwise you will find yourself stuck still renting at the age of 28.
Or maybe, in order to fulfill the fairy tale you have to disregard one of the initial components and settle simply for meeting someone and getting married. Love or no love.
The concept of love is outdated. As is the American Fairy tale.
Both are in desperate need of an update because in today's world its better to believe in reality versus some silly dream that will never materialize.
You know what I am talking about.
You meet someone, fall in love, get married, buy a house, have children and live happily ever after.
Does this ever really happen anymore?
Wouldn't the more realistic approach be more like:
You meet someone, have great times for a while and you go your separate ways. You then buy your own house and live there all by yourself otherwise you will find yourself stuck still renting at the age of 28.
Or maybe, in order to fulfill the fairy tale you have to disregard one of the initial components and settle simply for meeting someone and getting married. Love or no love.
The concept of love is outdated. As is the American Fairy tale.
Both are in desperate need of an update because in today's world its better to believe in reality versus some silly dream that will never materialize.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Dove
I'm so excited, I just purchased this cute little necklace from here
While I don't typically buy this sort of thing online (I like to be able to feel, touch and see items of this nature before making it mine) this looked so my style I couldn't resist.
Plus, I think it is a good symbol for the peaceful stage of my life that I find myself in. Hopefully it will stay this way for a long time to come..
While I don't typically buy this sort of thing online (I like to be able to feel, touch and see items of this nature before making it mine) this looked so my style I couldn't resist.
Plus, I think it is a good symbol for the peaceful stage of my life that I find myself in. Hopefully it will stay this way for a long time to come..
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Puppy Mill Rescue Close to Home.
I feel a little bit sick right now.
I have been reading about the raid of the American Eskimo puppy mill in Kennewick, Washington for the past 15 minutes or so, and I have had to keep myself f
rom letting the tears fall. Apparently, there were 371 of these little dogs, the same breed of dog that I own, in more than deplorable conditions. Some of the dogs lived in crates, some of them lived in shopping carts, some of them in chicken pens, but all of them lived in spaces coated with feces and permeated with urine. Some of the dogs had blood caked in their fur, not to mention mud and the feces they were being forced to sit and sleep in. To make matters worse, there were always more than one dog per crate an
d a lot of them were outside in the direct sunlight (depending on the time of day).
It took two weeks for authorities to set up proper facilities to house these poor dogs, but they are now away from that horrible situation and things can only go up from here.
If I had the means, I would adopt one of these dogs in a heartbeat..
Maybe you do.
Oregon Humane Society
Seattle Humane Society
Someone needs to give these dogs a chance, it truly is an excellent breed.
I have been reading about the raid of the American Eskimo puppy mill in Kennewick, Washington for the past 15 minutes or so, and I have had to keep myself f
rom letting the tears fall. Apparently, there were 371 of these little dogs, the same breed of dog that I own, in more than deplorable conditions. Some of the dogs lived in crates, some of them lived in shopping carts, some of them in chicken pens, but all of them lived in spaces coated with feces and permeated with urine. Some of the dogs had blood caked in their fur, not to mention mud and the feces they were being forced to sit and sleep in. To make matters worse, there were always more than one dog per crate an
d a lot of them were outside in the direct sunlight (depending on the time of day).It took two weeks for authorities to set up proper facilities to house these poor dogs, but they are now away from that horrible situation and things can only go up from here.
If I had the means, I would adopt one of these dogs in a heartbeat..
Maybe you do.
Oregon Humane Society
Seattle Humane Society
Someone needs to give these dogs a chance, it truly is an excellent breed.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Rest Stop
The pond has become stagnant. The ripples are gone.
The wind is still, without indication of change.
One thing is for certain: I have become restless in my life.
When all the wrinkles have finally been ironed out what then do you do with the iron? I'm so used to it being in my hand that even the thought of putting it down makes me feel uncomfortable..
The wind is still, without indication of change.
One thing is for certain: I have become restless in my life.
When all the wrinkles have finally been ironed out what then do you do with the iron? I'm so used to it being in my hand that even the thought of putting it down makes me feel uncomfortable..
Friday, June 19, 2009
Raining Cats and Dogs? How about Tadpoles?
Some strange news out of Japan.
Imagine seeing rainclouds approaching; listening as the rain starts pouring, but upon closer inspection, intermingled in the raindrops was none other than little, unfortunate, tadpoles. On Jun 4th, in a small town in Japan, this happened. Apparently, around 100 tadpoles measuring from 2-3 cm long were found in a 300 square meter area in Nanao.
They were on cars, in the grass, on the pavement and were, unfortunately for the tadpoles, dead on arrival.
It was reported that there was a strange sound and then the "rain" started falling. Apparently, this sort of thing has been recorded in the past, but typically occurs when weather patterns are already rough (funneling the wildlife up into the clouds). In this instance, the weather leading up to the incident was completely uneventful making this seem to be a mystery.
In the town of Hakusan, two days later, the same thing happened only with small fish.
Gives new meaning to the phrase "raining cats and dogs", doesn't it?
Pictures and more info found here
Imagine seeing rainclouds approaching; listening as the rain starts pouring, but upon closer inspection, intermingled in the raindrops was none other than little, unfortunate, tadpoles. On Jun 4th, in a small town in Japan, this happened. Apparently, around 100 tadpoles measuring from 2-3 cm long were found in a 300 square meter area in Nanao.
They were on cars, in the grass, on the pavement and were, unfortunately for the tadpoles, dead on arrival.It was reported that there was a strange sound and then the "rain" started falling. Apparently, this sort of thing has been recorded in the past, but typically occurs when weather patterns are already rough (funneling the wildlife up into the clouds). In this instance, the weather leading up to the incident was completely uneventful making this seem to be a mystery.
In the town of Hakusan, two days later, the same thing happened only with small fish.
Gives new meaning to the phrase "raining cats and dogs", doesn't it?Pictures and more info found here
Has society really gotten that lazy?
I really don't understand it and if someone could enlighten me that would be great. I have noticed that there are a lot of websites out there that allow people to post to all of their social networks at the same time and while, sure, a majority of people who are involved in social networking do have more than one account out there, do they not realize that their "friendbase", or the people that are actually seeing these updates, are also on a majority of these sites? Meaning, someone like me has to see the same update on twitter, facebook, plurk, myspace, etc, etc. This causes there to be a lot of clutter and eventually forces me to delete people from one or all of my accounts.
What happened to originality?
Is it really all that difficult to sign in to each of the accounts that you choose to have and use it like it was intended?
Or has the laziness of socitey spread to the internet, where a click of the mouse and a few key strokes has now become too much effort for us to set forth?
What happened to originality?
Is it really all that difficult to sign in to each of the accounts that you choose to have and use it like it was intended?
Or has the laziness of socitey spread to the internet, where a click of the mouse and a few key strokes has now become too much effort for us to set forth?
Thursday, June 18, 2009
I Heart Failblog
Here are a couple recent photos that really made me chuckle :)
I didn't know that Darth Vader was Scottish!
How in the world did he get that goat to hang on like that??
I didn't know that Darth Vader was Scottish!
How in the world did he get that goat to hang on like that??
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The Troublemaker in Me.
Why do I make trouble in my relationships?
Why is it that when everything is seemingly great, I always find something to pick at? And while it may seem to be insignificant to some on the surface, to me at that moment, its a do or die situation.
I do not enjoy being alone, yet I always seem to try and find ways to ensure that I am just that.
*sigh*
Why is it that when everything is seemingly great, I always find something to pick at? And while it may seem to be insignificant to some on the surface, to me at that moment, its a do or die situation.
I do not enjoy being alone, yet I always seem to try and find ways to ensure that I am just that.
*sigh*
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Moving: Just like day in the park, when its raining.
Right around the first of this month I found out that I needed to move out of the apartment that I had been living in for 3 years come July first. I have always been wanting to move, but wanting and doing are two very different things, especially with the level of rent that I was having to pay where I was (it was very low).
So I started looking.
I didnt look far when I found what I thought to be a decent house for rent from one of my distant co-workers. The price was very good, so it helped me to overlook many things about the place that I really didnt care for. The age, the size, the condition.. the height of the ceiling in the kitchen, the carpet, the roof, the look from the outside.. I could keep going.
So a couple of days before I was going to sign a lease I took B over to check the place out.
A part of me didnt want to show him, which says a lot..
Once we got there, it was decided that that was not where I was going to be moving to.
Ok, thats great, he saved me, but now it is the 7th of June and I have no leads on where I am going to be moving to in 23 days..
The days go by.
Nothing.
Not to say that I wasnt actively looking, I was! And it was grueling!
Finally, after scouring craigslist and newspapers for days, driving around different neighborhoods every day after I got off of work and calling everyone that I knew that had rentals I decided to give in and put in an application for another apartment. Sure, its the very thing I was trying so hard to get away from, but, well.. I need a place to live!
The next day I decided to go look at a townhouse in Salmon Creek that sounded very promising, but things that sound too good to be true typically are, with the owners of this unit deciding to raise the price after I already put in an application. $900 a month for an old townhouse in a run down apartment like community? For that price you can get so much more.
At this point I was wondering if I needed to lower my standards. It had been almost a week since I put in the application at the apartment and I had yet to hear from them. I started looking at apartments in parts of town that I really didnt want to live, and quite frankly, I don't understand the pricing on these places. They are the same, if not more, than what I had been looking at before and they are just apartments.. and why water, sewer and garbage is not included in the price almost anywhere anymore is beyond me.
Finally, 6 days after I put in the application at the apartment they finally call and tell me that I have been approved and with two weeks left til I turn in my keys I jumped on the opportunity.
Its a great apartment. 1100 sq ft, 2bd, 2bth with a fireplace, A/C and gas applicances. Even comes with a free automatic garage since they were all out of carports. Much better than where I am, and I cannot wait to move in :)
Now I am working on getting my application fee back from the property management group that swindled me..
Currently, I would advise to stay away from Premier Property Management in Vancouver. I have a feeling that its not going to be easy to get my money back.
So I started looking.
I didnt look far when I found what I thought to be a decent house for rent from one of my distant co-workers. The price was very good, so it helped me to overlook many things about the place that I really didnt care for. The age, the size, the condition.. the height of the ceiling in the kitchen, the carpet, the roof, the look from the outside.. I could keep going.
So a couple of days before I was going to sign a lease I took B over to check the place out.
A part of me didnt want to show him, which says a lot..
Once we got there, it was decided that that was not where I was going to be moving to.
Ok, thats great, he saved me, but now it is the 7th of June and I have no leads on where I am going to be moving to in 23 days..
The days go by.
Nothing.
Not to say that I wasnt actively looking, I was! And it was grueling!
Finally, after scouring craigslist and newspapers for days, driving around different neighborhoods every day after I got off of work and calling everyone that I knew that had rentals I decided to give in and put in an application for another apartment. Sure, its the very thing I was trying so hard to get away from, but, well.. I need a place to live!
The next day I decided to go look at a townhouse in Salmon Creek that sounded very promising, but things that sound too good to be true typically are, with the owners of this unit deciding to raise the price after I already put in an application. $900 a month for an old townhouse in a run down apartment like community? For that price you can get so much more.
At this point I was wondering if I needed to lower my standards. It had been almost a week since I put in the application at the apartment and I had yet to hear from them. I started looking at apartments in parts of town that I really didnt want to live, and quite frankly, I don't understand the pricing on these places. They are the same, if not more, than what I had been looking at before and they are just apartments.. and why water, sewer and garbage is not included in the price almost anywhere anymore is beyond me.
Finally, 6 days after I put in the application at the apartment they finally call and tell me that I have been approved and with two weeks left til I turn in my keys I jumped on the opportunity.
Its a great apartment. 1100 sq ft, 2bd, 2bth with a fireplace, A/C and gas applicances. Even comes with a free automatic garage since they were all out of carports. Much better than where I am, and I cannot wait to move in :)
Now I am working on getting my application fee back from the property management group that swindled me..
Currently, I would advise to stay away from Premier Property Management in Vancouver. I have a feeling that its not going to be easy to get my money back.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Men Vs Women and the Idea of the "M" word.
Once men reach the ripe old age of 35 is it really true that if they have never been married before, their chances of ever getting married goes down to a minute percentile?
Why is this?
I was talking about this very subject last night with a friend of mine. He is right on the cusp.. 34 years old. Been in a serious relationship for the past two years and says he is very happy, but when I bring up the subject of marriage he literally cringes. Why would I want to put on a ball and chain? He asks...
Ball and chain?
I am 27 and I have never been married, but I hardly think of the concept as a punishment. Yet another difference between males and females? Or is this something that should only be looked at on a case by case basis?
Friday, June 12, 2009
Camping in the Rain
This last weekend we decided to go on an impromptu camping trip in the mountains. Nothing was really planned, we didn't even know where it was we were going to camp until we got on the road and started driving. Lots of things were forgotten but in the spirit of the evening we decided to just go with it.
The weather forecast had said that it was going to be sunny. It said that it was going to be dry. But what was the weather like when we got there? As soon as we got out of the vehicles it started raining. And not just a little mist of rain, enough rain to get ME to get out my waterproof jacket and put on the hood (I never do that). This was supposed to be my first real experience Camping since all the other times I have camped it had either been in my backyard as a kid or in a "camping resort" that came fully equipped with swimming pools, shuffleboard and bathrooms. I was excited! And wasnt going to let a little rain ruin my evening.
Here are some highlights:
A nice little campsite, nestled next to a cute fast flowing creek of crystal clear, freezing cold water. It was about dusk by the time I took this picture, and we had yet to set up camp or get a fire started in the drizzle.
The drizzle turned into a downpour and the helpless fire we had got started quickly was snuffed out. We had found this board earlier to sit on, and it became the rain shield..
Finally! We got something to burn... I say "we" because yes, I did help.. I held the flashlight most of the time :) (ignore that pinkish flame, we would never, ever have used any sort of chemicals in order to help accelerate the fire.. nothing like gasoline or anything)
Kyle decided that he wanted some popcorn. The truth soon got out however, that what he really wanted was to see what a jiffy pop really looked like popped. Since it was neigh impossible to pop this on the little fire that we had the popcorn ended up burning (no matter how patient Sara was trying to be with it). This is Kyle being, well, Kyle. Dancing around the fire with his style of tiki torch in his hand.
I read the weather reports. I looked outside at the sky. So I shoved my waterproof jacket into my backpack just in case. This planning made me the only one to stay dry out of the five of us all night. I was also one of the only ones with dry socks since I brought waterproof hiking boots along with me as well. Not that I am gloating or anything. Oh no.
Poor boys. Dan and Brandon from left to right. I swear that his shirt was all one color before we left.
Ahh.. look at our cute little fire. Cute and pathetic can actually mean the same thing, didn't you know that??
While the weatherman said dry and no rain, it actually ended up raining all night and into the next day. As soon as we packed up and left it stopped. Go figure.
The weather forecast had said that it was going to be sunny. It said that it was going to be dry. But what was the weather like when we got there? As soon as we got out of the vehicles it started raining. And not just a little mist of rain, enough rain to get ME to get out my waterproof jacket and put on the hood (I never do that). This was supposed to be my first real experience Camping since all the other times I have camped it had either been in my backyard as a kid or in a "camping resort" that came fully equipped with swimming pools, shuffleboard and bathrooms. I was excited! And wasnt going to let a little rain ruin my evening.
Here are some highlights:
A nice little campsite, nestled next to a cute fast flowing creek of crystal clear, freezing cold water. It was about dusk by the time I took this picture, and we had yet to set up camp or get a fire started in the drizzle.
The drizzle turned into a downpour and the helpless fire we had got started quickly was snuffed out. We had found this board earlier to sit on, and it became the rain shield..
Finally! We got something to burn... I say "we" because yes, I did help.. I held the flashlight most of the time :) (ignore that pinkish flame, we would never, ever have used any sort of chemicals in order to help accelerate the fire.. nothing like gasoline or anything)
Kyle decided that he wanted some popcorn. The truth soon got out however, that what he really wanted was to see what a jiffy pop really looked like popped. Since it was neigh impossible to pop this on the little fire that we had the popcorn ended up burning (no matter how patient Sara was trying to be with it). This is Kyle being, well, Kyle. Dancing around the fire with his style of tiki torch in his hand.
I read the weather reports. I looked outside at the sky. So I shoved my waterproof jacket into my backpack just in case. This planning made me the only one to stay dry out of the five of us all night. I was also one of the only ones with dry socks since I brought waterproof hiking boots along with me as well. Not that I am gloating or anything. Oh no.
Poor boys. Dan and Brandon from left to right. I swear that his shirt was all one color before we left.
Ahh.. look at our cute little fire. Cute and pathetic can actually mean the same thing, didn't you know that??While the weatherman said dry and no rain, it actually ended up raining all night and into the next day. As soon as we packed up and left it stopped. Go figure.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Talking with the Devil in my dreams?
*I don't normally make a formal recording of my dreams, but when a dream causes me to wake with my heart pounding and leaves me entirely uneasy I think maybe it would be a good idea to write it down in attempt to do a little dream analysis.
My boyfriend and I were watching a movie in a theater (it was a small theater, old and intimate versus a regular commercial movie theater). The rustic reclining seats were red and next to the arm rests were little tables with lamps to set your drinks on. Once the movie was over we left, but I soon remembered that I forgot something by my seat, under the table.
We go back to get it and there is an old woman hunched over one of the other seats, cleaning.
Brandon and I are joking around, she is simply observing.
I somehow know that she would be able to provide me valuable insight on our relationship so I wanted to stay and ask her what she thought. She said that she would answer any three questions that I may have (even though I do not recall ever hearing her speak) so I started to think of questions that I wanted answers to...
I come up with two rather personal questions (questions which I really want answered in real life but am too afraid to ask).
A third, a third... I need a third...
While I am contemplating Brandon wants to leave. He heads to the door, turns back and asks me "What, you want to talk with the devil??"
I glance over at the old woman. She looked innocent and sweet with her handkerchief over her gray hair; her hunched back; her wrinkled skin. Her dress was white but with all the red and yellow little flowers that were printed onto the fabric it seemed very colorful, but muted. Almost as if it had seen better days before the washing machine got its hands upon it. The white apron that was tied around her waist was clean and pristine. She had just got on shift apparently.
This woman? SHE was the devil?
No, I'll be OK.
"I'll just be a minute" I say
And he was gone.
As I turn to face the old woman she looked up at me with a genuinely evil grin on her face. This is when she changes shape and I realize that he was right.
The scene became chaotic. I tried to scream his name but my voice was but a silent whisper. As she made her way over to me I woke up in a panic...
I can still the look she gave me when I close my eyes.
My boyfriend and I were watching a movie in a theater (it was a small theater, old and intimate versus a regular commercial movie theater). The rustic reclining seats were red and next to the arm rests were little tables with lamps to set your drinks on. Once the movie was over we left, but I soon remembered that I forgot something by my seat, under the table.
We go back to get it and there is an old woman hunched over one of the other seats, cleaning.
Brandon and I are joking around, she is simply observing.
I somehow know that she would be able to provide me valuable insight on our relationship so I wanted to stay and ask her what she thought. She said that she would answer any three questions that I may have (even though I do not recall ever hearing her speak) so I started to think of questions that I wanted answers to...
I come up with two rather personal questions (questions which I really want answered in real life but am too afraid to ask).
A third, a third... I need a third...
While I am contemplating Brandon wants to leave. He heads to the door, turns back and asks me "What, you want to talk with the devil??"
I glance over at the old woman. She looked innocent and sweet with her handkerchief over her gray hair; her hunched back; her wrinkled skin. Her dress was white but with all the red and yellow little flowers that were printed onto the fabric it seemed very colorful, but muted. Almost as if it had seen better days before the washing machine got its hands upon it. The white apron that was tied around her waist was clean and pristine. She had just got on shift apparently.
This woman? SHE was the devil?
No, I'll be OK.
"I'll just be a minute" I say
And he was gone.
As I turn to face the old woman she looked up at me with a genuinely evil grin on her face. This is when she changes shape and I realize that he was right.
The scene became chaotic. I tried to scream his name but my voice was but a silent whisper. As she made her way over to me I woke up in a panic...
I can still the look she gave me when I close my eyes.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
From the Rose Gardens to the Japanese Gardens. Hop, hop, skip.
That's right, I finally made to to these heavenly gardens, which are located near Washington Park, in NW Portland. It was a nice day so we decided to venture up to the Portland Rose Gardens (actual gardens, not to be confused with the Rose Garden Arena) for a little stroll.
Parking was a little bit of a nightmare, and after driving up the hill and pretty much back down to the bottom, we found a spot that I was able to fit my car into (after much maneuvering, let me tell you). The instant we got out of the car, the sweet aroma of the gardens overcame us, and my nose was in heaven. Once we got to the top of the hill and saw the view of the city (Mt Hood perfectly in view in the background) my eyes were thanking me as well.
I hadn't been here since I was kid, so I didnt really know what to expect. Everything always seems so much bigger in childhood memories as compared to reality so I tried to think of it as tiny as to not be disappointed, but it is a nice size park! With tennis courts, gazebos, pavilions and even a stage, there was plenty of space for everyone (and also the location of my next picnic).
Since it was so warm we decided to get some Shaved Ice before we headed down, what I didnt realize that this was going to hamper my picture taking greatly..
One of the only shots I got of the actual gardens and it is indeed lacking. Its hard to tell that everything was in full bloom! And gorgeous! But this gives you a basic idea.
We were about to leave to go downtown for something to eat when I decided to check out the map to make sure that we didnt miss anything. This was when I saw that the Japanese Gardens were only 300 feet or so away! I have been wanting to go to the Japanese Gardens forever, even once went to the Chinese Gardens in the Pearl thinking they were the same (I know, I know..)
The Rose Gardens are free to get into, the Japanese Gardens do charge a small admission fee (up to $8 for an adult) but its worth the charge. The only thing that I would change would be an addition of a tea house or something that serves Japanese food/drinks. It would really add to the ambiance and lets face it, this is America, we get hungry!
It looks like a painting rather than an open window.. a view from inside the "bamboo" (which smelt mysteriously like pine) house. A great place to put that tea house I'm thinking... :)
I'd love to go back here on a day that wasn't so nice, thus making it not so busy I'm sure. There is something about being in such a serene place, yet bumping into people constantly. Something that slightly takes away from the serenity.. but just slightly.
Parking was a little bit of a nightmare, and after driving up the hill and pretty much back down to the bottom, we found a spot that I was able to fit my car into (after much maneuvering, let me tell you). The instant we got out of the car, the sweet aroma of the gardens overcame us, and my nose was in heaven. Once we got to the top of the hill and saw the view of the city (Mt Hood perfectly in view in the background) my eyes were thanking me as well.
I hadn't been here since I was kid, so I didnt really know what to expect. Everything always seems so much bigger in childhood memories as compared to reality so I tried to think of it as tiny as to not be disappointed, but it is a nice size park! With tennis courts, gazebos, pavilions and even a stage, there was plenty of space for everyone (and also the location of my next picnic).Since it was so warm we decided to get some Shaved Ice before we headed down, what I didnt realize that this was going to hamper my picture taking greatly..
One of the only shots I got of the actual gardens and it is indeed lacking. Its hard to tell that everything was in full bloom! And gorgeous! But this gives you a basic idea.We were about to leave to go downtown for something to eat when I decided to check out the map to make sure that we didnt miss anything. This was when I saw that the Japanese Gardens were only 300 feet or so away! I have been wanting to go to the Japanese Gardens forever, even once went to the Chinese Gardens in the Pearl thinking they were the same (I know, I know..)
The Rose Gardens are free to get into, the Japanese Gardens do charge a small admission fee (up to $8 for an adult) but its worth the charge. The only thing that I would change would be an addition of a tea house or something that serves Japanese food/drinks. It would really add to the ambiance and lets face it, this is America, we get hungry!
It looks like a painting rather than an open window.. a view from inside the "bamboo" (which smelt mysteriously like pine) house. A great place to put that tea house I'm thinking... :)I'd love to go back here on a day that wasn't so nice, thus making it not so busy I'm sure. There is something about being in such a serene place, yet bumping into people constantly. Something that slightly takes away from the serenity.. but just slightly.
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