Pop Lock & Drop It

Today I fell down. I fall a lot - as anyone who has spent minute amounts of time with me know. My tumble this afternoon took place on Burnside in Portland. I was walking past a rescue mission with a friend...ironically we were talking about my weak ankles as I looked up to see a man inside the shelter lobby wave to me. I waved back and carried on about the ankles. Then as we proceeded past a row of homeless people sitting along the wall I slipped on a banana peel. Immediately one of the homeless men rushed to my aid. I was startled and embarresed. Talking about my frequent falls only to fall during my lament about...frequent falling. All of this in a pair of no-slip clogs. Screw it...I favor caution when choosing my footwear, but I'm just going to fall anyway...might as well do it in sexy shoes.

Thank you to that man who helped me when I fell down today...you never know who is going to come to your rescue.

The Geeklet Has Landed

I packed up the moving truck Saturday morning and hit the road with Ms. V wailing in the kitty carrier nestled in the passenger seat. There were no overwhelming feelings of sadness, or anxiety. However, I did drive the truck (the first quarter of the trip) as if it were much larger than it was (there's a joke in there somewhere...) Finally, I relaxed and drove long stretches in silence. The adventure has begun.

I am officially at-large in the Pacific Northwest.

What will I miss?

I'm sitting in the kitchen looking out the window at Bally. Friends have made the trek to Disneyland this week and I'm here at the helm. This has been a nice precurser to the two weeks ahead where I have to pack and wind things down here in Redding. Leaving hasn't really sunk in yet...maybe it won't be this dramatic thing after all...maybe I'm actually ready to go. But I wonder...

What will I miss?

It's a question that can't be answered for a while, I know. But as I sit here looking out the window, feeling the cool pre-autumn breeze I ponder such things. I know I will miss hearing the train several times a day, the horn that sounds at Gerlinger's, Post Office burgers, dear friends, Whiskeytown...my grandma. The rest will have to wait to sink in...it might surprise me.

leap of faith

changes. scary, exciting changes. i mentioned earlier this year that 35 was going to be a birthday that i had mixed feelings about. well, i turned 35 last week. this week i'm looking a possible move square in the face. nothing is official yet. all i can say for sure is that should it become official - i've got a lot to do.

i've got to buy a car - rent a uhaul (and there wasn't even a first date...damn!)- learn the lay of the land where i don't know a soul and bid farewell to redding - my home for the past 18 years. yeah, i'm scared shitless...but also excited.

perhaps in a few weeks time i will be pondering this move from the other end...

"I'm looking for an airport"

Okay, so it has been a while. Summer has a way of offering all sorts of outdoor alternatives to the computer, iPhone, or Blackberry.

I've spent some time in Portland, Oregon this month - a place that I've been casually flirting with for enough time to pass that warrants a real commitment, or shelving the idea. For the first time I really looked around and thought about living there...sending out resumes and cover letters like a fiend. With some positive responses. Responses that warrant my serious consideration. And soon.

My house is packed and I know that I have considered one pitstop before I leave Redding. But I might just forego it for a straight shot this time. I've made several detours here already. All of them interesting and significant. How well do I pack these boxes?

Redding has been a part of my life since I was 9 - when my dad flew planes and we would fly up as a family often. At that time, there was a small airport in the Enterprise area of town. My dad would fly over my grandmothers house and he would dip he wings so we knew to head on down to the airport (again, no iPhones, Blackberry or otherwise). I don't care if it is that tiny Enterprise airport or Frankfurt...I love airports. The comings and goings of it all! One particular departure from Redding had us on our typical route. Somewhere near Red Bluff,a strange noise filled the small 4 seater cabin and my dad talked to the control tower. Mom looked back at me to see how I was. Apparently I sat there with my hands clenched prayer-style and I was looking out the window for something. Mom asked about my window search and I replied "I'm looking for airports". We flew on home just fine.

No move needs to be so dramatic as that glitch...but there is no doubt, that at some point soon...there will be a new airport.

back in a jiff....

woah...it's looking a little dusty over here. go grab yourself a beverage. i"ll be back soon

a

we have a trio, folks

no more "wings", no more glittery "white glove" and no more "sweepstakes"..