Down South...and back North for 4th

Some say that you can't go back. That's true for some, but for a while on Thursday - it was as if I was back in grade school - on a visit with some old buddies from my private school days in Salem. Don and Eric were close friends growing up, so it was a real pleasure to catch up on a sunny afternoon near the very school grounds where we did our time.

Most of afternoon was spent at Don's house overlooking the McNary golf course....not far from McNary High School, where we discovered the shocking difference of public education. Don and I lived near enough to each other back in the mid-80s that we found plenty to get into trouble with. In Junior High we both had a facination for movie special effects and makeup - and spent many a Halloween making my house a morbid testament to our bloody talents.

One such incident lives in infamy to this day. We had put together a fake body with a knife in its back - and placed on the lawn of former teacher who lived next door to Don. As we hid back in his shed to watch the whole thing unfold, a passing motorist noticed the scene from the road - and decided to alert the authorities as we watched in horror. Suffice it to say, the police, fire department and an EMT unit rolled up and quickly debunked the moment. Perfectly timed, the teacher whom this had been prepared for arrived not long after - and had a little explaining to do.

Ah memories...

The forth saw us heading back up north to Olympia - and another family gathering around BBQ and the usual neighborhood apocalypse that ensues. Just so he wouldn't feel too left out - I picked up some non-flying ordinance at a nearby tent. In the fading hours of Friday, as we fought through the BBQ sleep that came after a late lunch - Greer got his shot at a little fire and smoke.

A couple sparking tanks, smoke bombs and a few fountain/blooms later - the boy had been officially drawn into the love affair that boys have with things that go boom.

Coffee talk

Such are the trappings of the recently unemployed.

It's been almost a month since I wrapped up my contract at Regence...and...I know this probably sounds silly, but I've finally done the inevitable. I'm blogging from a coffee shop with wi-fi.
Wooooooo! I know, I know...cutting edge stuff for a guy like myself. I feel like a cro-mag emerging from my hole. The last adopter of blogdoms everyday right-of-passage.

The customers are coming in now - old and young - and the bar is busy at Space Monkey. Art hangs on the walls and some tribal popbeat is rolling out - performing as a platform for the caffinated tenor behind the bar. I'm on my second cup of the morning.....a black mug of organic whatever. It tastes like coffee, that's all I care about.

Alex bought Greer a new mini-suitcase for his big trip up to see Crumpa and Gamma. He was so excited, that I found him in bed with it last night....has hand wrapped around the pull-out handle. A young man and his new rolling travel companion.

Tonight I'm taking Alex out for dinner and movie. Yummy food and "Iron Man" are on the docket. We don't out much, so it'll be fun to reconnect. Greer will be visiting Uncle Chris and Aunt Windy for a spell...

Tomorrow, I'm down in Keizer visiting my old jr. high school buddy, Don. He'll probably goad me into jamming with him - after all these years. We started playing together when I was 13, and he managed to keep up with it. It's been more than a little while since I picked up the guitar, so we'll see what comes. If I remember my penatonic scales, I should be ok.

That's a big if, though.

Flying high...

One of the benefits of working contract jobs is all the interesting folks you run into. Roger Ryon is one I met while doing my stint at Regence. A fairly unassuming cat, Mr. Ryon has what you might call an active and creative outside life....one that includes a wildly colorful plane that he likes to fly now and then. Yesterday, he took me for a ride.

Sporting the psychedelic colors of the Black Rock Travel Agency (Roger's a Burning Man vet), we took off from Troutdale airport and flew south amidst high clouds and fair weather. From 5000+ feet we could see from Mt. Rainer to Three Sisters.

The engines hummed with a rhythm that oscillated through the cabin...a vibration that Roger closely monitored and adjusted - while he pointed out the various sights and landmarks. I held maps, took photos, and even cobbled together a metal twist-tie - to help stabilize the throttle when it started to slip slightly.

We followed a 1.5 hour path full of local airports....Aurora, McMinnville, Hillsboro, St. Helens - and finally back to Troutdale.

Looking forward to the next time in the air...

Fathers Day

It's been a good morning. Alex is back from a trip to Denver....Greer is rambling through the house, leaving a small path of chaos in his wake, and I am soaking up a little Father's Day relaxation; sitting on the couch and reading the morning paper. While breakfast was being devised, I sat and read VeggieTales with Greer until he wanted to go build a block castle. Our boy was keen on remembering Father's Day this year by giving me a fantastic drawing of the two of us shopping for groceries - with a bonus sketch of Mom on the flipside. Before we got out of bed, the Greermonster brought in the Father's Day gift he made at school. A one-of-a-kind rock that he had colored. Priceless.

Around lunchtime, we'll head over to Beaverton with Windy and Chris to celebrate F-Day with Windy's side of the family. My folks would usually be in town, but they're enjoying a much deserved cruise in Alaska. Dad called from Scagway this morning with Father's Day greetings....they are off to Denali National Park in the next two days.

This evening, I plan to extend my F-Day benefits with a viewing of Game 5 of the NBA Finals. I'm fully expecting L.A. to pull out a win tonight, so Boston can go home and win it all. Whether they win tonight or next week....the Celtics are a lock.

Incidentally, "From One Rose" will be playing this afternoon on KOIN 6 - our first broadcast of the program. Mike Donahue is hosting the screening, which will run uncut with commerical breaks.....some of which will include a plug for the DVD. Hopefully, we'll see a spike in interest - and maybe the beginning of an annual broadcast tradition.

Singing Sweeney

Back again....writing early in the morning - after having fallen asleep early after bathing Greer. He crawled into our bed at midnight....just as I was waking from my 'nap'. No luck sleeping after that, as the boy has a way of positioning himself - so as to boot you from bed.

Browsing early morning style....scouting You Tube for live performance videos of Sondheims' Sweeney Todd. Alex turned me onto this show a while back, and I've been a little obsessed. Since last summer, I've been listening to it, researching the history, and singing the wicked baritone in my car - trying to match Len Carious' intensity. I even started up with a voice teacher to work on my technique - as I am not an opera singer. Still, the voice is there...

The videos I'm finding online this morning are an odd mix of community theater and professional outtakes....with most being overwrought or miscast.



I'm convinced that you need to be at least 40 to play the role....as Sweeney has some mileage on him.

Maybe someday.