Me Ra Koh Photography Workshop

December 8, 2008 | FUN!

I did something super cool this weekend. I attended a beginning photography workshop for women put on by Me Ra Koh, who is a total photgraphy celebrity and happens to live in Tacoma. She does these workshops all over the country and I’ve been waiting and waiting for her to do one locally.

You know that I love photography and that I have a good camera and whatnot, but honestly if I ever take a good picture, it’s an accident. Before this weekend, I had no idea WHY a picture would be good, WHY the background looked all nice and fuzzy sometimes, or whatever. But now! NOW I understand ISO and aperture and shutter speed and metering! I understand what makes a picture good! I know what I need to do to take professional quality pictures! (That would be practice, and buy some expensive lenses.) I AM NOT AFRAID OF MY CAMERA ANYMORE!!

Not only that, I got to meet and hang out with a great group of cool women who I think, the local ones anyway, might actually turn into friends. And of course I got to meet and hang out with the lovely and talented Me Ra Koh, who previously I have only blogstalked and secretly stared at at the Y. Now I can I say hello!

The first day, we learned about our cameras and then a group of moms and babies came and we got to practice on them in various lighting conditions throughout the lovely B&B where the workshop was held. It was such a great exercise. I went from super frustrated to elated and back again. I learned that my current lenses won’t let me do what I want, that it’s the lenses, not me. How cool is that? There’s something so empowering about understanding the problem.

And look what I did! Doesn’t this look like a REAL photographer took it?

I’m so excited to have my own little subject to torment!

A weekend of adolescent pursuits

November 23, 2008 | FUN!

So, on Friday night I saw Twilight and on Saturday night I saw The New Kids on the Block. Yes, I am apparently 12 years old. Both experiences are worthy of their own posts, however, so I’m going to address Twilight later this week.

Anyway! OMG! SQUEEEEEE!!

Firstly, I didn’t even realize how hilarious this is until she arrived to pick us up, but SB had plans and we didn’t want to hassle with parking, so my mom totally dropped us off. Sweet.

You guys, it was probably the most fun concert I’ve ever been to, and I’m not even kidding. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. It was absolutely UNREAL to be surrounded by thousands and thousands of women in their 30’s, all giddily LOSING. THEIR. SHIT. Seriously. Everyone stood the WHOLE TIME. The screaming was nearly non stop, the volume level nearly painful.

They put on a really good show! They looked and sounded great, tight dance moves and whatnot, big lights and screens and fireworks and the whole shebang. I think they must have worked with some kind of adolescent female psychologist or something to know exactly how to best whip us into a frenzy. For example, they’d be singing an oldie, you’d be on your feet screaming and dancing, and then on the big screen would be a choice clip from a video that you haven’t seen in 20 years but you saw approximately 1 million times back in the day, and then you’d COMPLETELY lose it. There they are, walking in slow motion up that hill in Boston with the subway in the background….EEEEEEEE!!!! I cannot use enough caps or exclamation point to convey the crazy flashback-to-budding-sexuality/childlike glee this concert inspired in me and everyone around me.

Truly, it seemed like the T-Dome was sprinkled in some kind of magic fairy dust of happiness. Perhaps they say this to all the cities, but they kept commenting on how great the crowd was, one of the best they’d had. And it seemed like they were having so much fun! At the end they were jumping around and hugging eachother!

It was everything I wanted it to be and more. They really did impress me. Jordan is still my favorite. He sang “I’ll Be Loving You Forever” in the original key, I’ll have you know.

Other funny/interesting observations and quotes include:

- I have never in my life seen such a crowded merch table. There were women clutching money stacked 20 wide and 20 deep after the show. Are these guys brilliant, or what? They’re like, let’s have a comeback when all our fans have cash! More than just babysitting money to spend this time around.

- Donna: After screaming our heads off throughout the first song, “I think I taste blood.”

- At one point I glanced over at Tiana and she looked sort of dazed, staring glassy-eyed at the stage. I thought to myself, maybe she wants to sit down or maybe she’s not having fun anymore. Then she leaned over and said, “I can’t stop looking at Donnie. He’s such an good dancer! He’s just a little bit thug and I guess I like it! If my husband could move like that, we’d have 10 kids.”

- Single, 30-something, guy friend Chris before the show: “That sounds like a target-rich environment”

- You know how when you buy something from iTunes, it asks you if you are SURE you want to buy it? I’ve never found that offensive until I was buying the NKOTB greatest hits. I was all, “Um yes, iTunes! What are you trying to say?!”

Thanks for such a great time, ladies. I hope they do this again in another 20 years!

Halloween

November 1, 2008 | FUN!

Yesterday at about noon, I found myself still without a costume. We were considering being Juno and whatshisface, but without the orange stripey shirt, that left me in a nondescript tight t-shirt and hoodie, and SB in the entertaining shorts and wristsbands. Then there are all the slightly negative maternity costumes, the pregnant nun, the pregnant cheerleader, Bristol Palin and whatshisface, ect. I wanted something that actually utilized the belly, since that’s not an accessory I have every year, but wasn’t too trashy and wasn’t too embarrassing, either.

I was trying to think of round things I could paint on my belly, like a basketball, or a beach ball, or the world, and then I finally came up with the perfect round thing that allowed me to be topical and still comfortably dressed.

And just on the off chance you don’t recognize this symbol: (hey, there were actually a few at the party we went to who didn’t)

I was quite pleased with myself.

The Big Day

October 6, 2008 | FUN!

I did fine. I finished half. I am mostly okay with this. Yes, yes, I know, I am so awesome. No, there were no other pregnant people that I saw. Yes, I KNOW. It still doesn’t change the fact that I’m disappointed. I wanted to do better.

Again, with the identity crisis. Who am I if I am not able bodied? I DON’T KNOW. That’s the point. But enough with the navel gazing, here’s my adventure.

Here we are leaving the house at the ass crack. I was feeling nervous. And awake too early.

We got dropped off and found our place in the line up. There were tons of people. It was still very dark.

I could only keep up with my friends for the first mile. Here are their retreating backs. Bye, ladies! Good luck!

I was actually feeling pretty good, I just have to walk slow these days. I did fine by myself. It wasn’t like when I tried to do training walks alone, and would be bored and end up focusing on my aching feet or whatever. There was plenty of exciting stuff to look at, people everywhere, cheering crowds, bands, volunteers handing out gatorade, and of course, thousands and thousands of cups on the ground.

I eventually found my pace. It didn’t seem to me like I was walking that slowly, but as the very large, elderly, and even electric wheelchair people all passed me by, I suddenly turned around and realized I was last.

LAST.

Yes. Out of the thousands and thousands of people who did the Portland Marathon, I was last. Soon I was being trailed very closely by the police sweeper car.

It was pretty funny. Soon there were two. Two cop cars with the flashy-flashy, following not 20 feet behind me. The bands would stop playing as I passed, the baricades would be taken up and the streets would re-open, the tables of gatorade would have one cup left. I’d take it, and then the volunteers would pack up and go. LAST.

I called my mom, who was of course worried about me, and told her that she need not. Should I collapse, or trip, or wash away in a sudden downpour, I had two of Portlands’s Finest on hand for easy rescue. Fortunately, nothing was wounded but my pride.

But! I finished half. At the 13.1 mile mark (oh, what a lovely spot. Note the nude dancer sign), I surrendered. SB picked me up and whisked me away to food, a hot shower, and warm clothes.

The others were still out there. Did I mention the weather was almost as bad as it could have possibly been? It was. This cool shot is courtesy of BFF’s dad, featuring the shit-tay weather and fine Portland architecture.

Then I went to meet my girls at the finish line. They all did really well, finishing in 6:01 and 6:24.

All in all, I’m glad I did it, but I’m glad it’s over. I wanted this experience to make me feel rad, but instead, I constantly compared myself to non-pregnant people and never felt good enough. My hormones aren’t any help, either. I am DONE crying about this stoopid race!

Thanks for putting up with all this moaning and whinging. Now that I only have to focus on being pregnant and getting ever larger, I should be in much better spirits. I am excelent at those things.

UPDATED TO ADD: I was reminded today after posting this that I am very thankful to be pregnant. It’s unfortunate that I seem to be able to complain about it more easily than I can rejoice in it. I don’t know what my freaking problem is.

The Puyallup was did.

September 17, 2008 | FUN!

Wow, guys! Thanks so much for all that encouragement on my last post. Seriously, never hesitate to compliment a pregnant woman. But be warned, she just may cry on you. The other night in the middle of Zumba, a very nice younger gal told me she hoped she was able to do Zumba when she was pregnant someday, and I was so surprised and touched I had to make a fuss over my water bottle so I didn’t tear up. It doesn’t take much these days.

Anyway, The Puyallup! I didn’t take as many pictures as I normally do, mostly because it’s hard to photo document while stuffing your face, but here are a few things I have to show you.

Check out this bunny:

Are you giggling? Do you need to see him again?

Wouldn’t you freak out if that thing hopped into your yard?

One of my favorite places to visit at the fair is the Floral Barn (dork) where you can see all the prize winning flowers and arrangements. They also have things like orchids and bonsai trees, where we saw something almost as unusual as that bunny:

As you can see, someone has combined their love of bonsai tree cultivation and Nascar. Huh!

I was quite sad that I couldn’t go on the big roller coaster this year, due to the fetus, but SB and I went on the Sky Ride after dark and looked down at all the twinkly lights below. I hadn’t been on it since highschool, when I was asked to Homecoming by a sweaty, nervous boy.

SB did not ask me to Homecoming, but a good time was had by all. Stay tuned for a shot of my favorite part of the Fair, the Produce Murals, of course. (even dorkier)

Camp Reunion

September 2, 2008 | FUN!

Over the weekend, SB and I attended the 80th Anniversary Celebration at the summer camp where I worked in college Camp Huston. It’s a very special place for me, and for us, because we were also married there.

Activities included dinner and a camp dance, then much drinking and carrying on, followed by breakfast and a chapel service in the morning. It was SO WONDERFUL to see so many old friends and all of their babies.

We were able to inspect many models of child. Did you know, BOYS ARE DIFFERENT? Seriously, nearly all of my friends have girls, but this weekend we were able to observe several boys in action. They seem a bit harder.

Camp Beauty:

The Chapel where we got married:

Some of the cabins, and the dining hall up top, where we had our reception:

The Wallace River:

Dancing!

Anyway, I love my Camp. I have so many great memories of the summers I spent there. Doing the dances and singing the songs this weekend made me giddy to bursting, and even a bit teary at times. That place just holds so much love for me. You know that old 10,000 Maniacs song, These are the days? I believe it was written for Camp Huston.

These are the days
These are days you’ll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it,
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you
Are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you

These are days that you’ll remember
When May is rushing over you
With desire to be part of the miracles
You see in every hour
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you are touched
By something that will grow and bloom in you

These are days
These are the days you might fill
With laughter until you break
These days you might feel
A shaft of light
Make its way across your face
And when you do
Then you’ll know how it was meant to be
See the signs and know their meaning
It’s true
Then you’ll know how it was meant to be
Hear the signs and know they’re speaking
To you, to you

“Camping” adventure

August 5, 2008 | FUN!

Over the weekend, we went camping with some wonderful friends, and due to their wonderful-ness, we had a great time. The conditions were slightly less than ideal, however.

Yes, we were car camping, but we weren’t exactly in for THIS kind of car camping. CAR being the operative word, as we were essentially in a parking lot. We knew we wanted to go somewhere down on the Columbia, and when we started looking for places on the internets, everywhere was booked. When we found a place with ONE SPACE LEFT, we immediately snatched it up and hoped for the best.

Not only was it in a parking lot, it was also in a wind tunnel. Yes, we did notice all the windsurfers and wind farms on the way in, but you know, we weren’t exactly prepared to be camping in such harsh conditions. You couldn’t set a beer down (or an O’Douls, as the case may be) with out it blowing over. You had to hold onto your plate with one hand while you were eating, or it would blow away, too. It was nuts!

So, please enjoy a few scenes from the weekend, even though this is not as glowing of a report as I would have liked it to be. We all still had a great time, of course, because it was the excellent company that mattered the most. Plus it was good and HOT.

The peace and solitude…

Nature!

We are recent converts to the camping air mattress. I’ve always been perfectly fine with my Thermarest, secretly scoffing at others and their “Dream Beds”. But after last weekend, waking up with a mysteriously flat Thermarest and a wet sleeping bag, we finally broke down and got our own. DUDE. I can’t wait to go camping again! It was SO COZY!

No one has to wait for coffee with THREE Freedom Presses!

A good time was had by all. At least there was good people watching!

Epic DoubleDay Report

July 29, 2008 | FUN!

Oh my god, you guys, I did it. I. DID. IT.

(Okay. Let me first pause to say that I do in fact realize that serious biker types ride much further than this all the time. That said, this was a long freaking way for me. )

Anyway! I DID IT! I rode all 85 miles, and I wasn’t last, and I had a great time!

It felt so great to do something for a good cause. I know that sounds funny, but I realized that all of the volunteer-type stuff I’ve done has always been for political things, which doesn’t feel the same. The experience was made all the more love-filled by the crew of awesome people that did it. There were at least 30 fun friends around at all times, most from PLU, or friends of friends, so there was always another positive, smiley face when you needed one.

Team Ouch This Hurts and Team Rhino

Another thing that makes this ride so fun is that it is really a RIDE, not a RACE. While there are a few serious biker types around, most everyone is just in it for the fun and the good cause. So it’s really relaxed! You just ride along, chit-chatting with different folks, and stopping at cheerfully staffed rest stops.

Of course I took tons of pictures, so here we go:

Firstly, here is the awesome bike camera mount that I found online and SB made for me. People were complimenting it all weekend. It rules! Make your own here.

I was able to take all kinds of sweet road shots. Day one of the ride goes through the beautiful Skagit Valley, and we passed the most perfect looking farms, fields of wheat and potatoes, and just unbelievable prettiness everywhere you looked.

About 20 miles into the first day, we stopped for lunch at the La Conner Brewery. See what I mean about it being fun? I wanted a beer SO BAD, but of course, I abstained. The food was REALLY good though. I’m sure part of it was all the exertion, but I wanted to roll around in my panini and soup, they were so perfect.

More beauty in the afternoon…

The last few miles on the first day got a little tough. My ass HURT. I felt like I MUST be doing some kind of permanent damage. It was throbbing, and every now and then, there were shooting pains, like I was pinching a nerve or something. Sparkling conversation from friend Rachel helped get me through, though, and finally, the Shell Station of Destiny, the marker for our last turn was in sight.

Then there was a nice dinner and presentation of prizes and the big check. Also, people spoke about how ALS has effected their lives and I was a blubbering mess. Hormones, you know. But guess what! They had all these donated prizes that were mostly bike related, but there was ONE prize I would have picked for myself and I won it! I got a $50 gift certificate to this cool jewelry company! I know everyone says this, right after they win something oddly enough, but I never win anything! It was so great! Then Friend Tina presented the big check at the end, and DUDE, we raised $109,433.00!

As is the tradition, after dinner, all the fun kids went to the The Conway Pub, a tiny little dive in the middle of nowhere with a great vibe and a kickin karaoke book. A good time was had by all.

I awoke on day two in a soaking wet sleeping bag. Good thing there was a yummy breakfast.

So, day two was hilly. The landscape changed from flat farmlands to gorgeous forests and lakes and mountains.

Unfortunately, however, it rained. A lot. At times you couldn’t enjoy the scenery because it was raining so hard you had to look down all the time so as not to be abused by the fat, angry, rain drops. During the first leg I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. I started considering exit strategies. But I knew I wouldn’t be able to live with myself, so I kept going. I’m proud that I never really lost my good humor, which in retrospect is shocking. I like to think I’m tough, but I can be a bit of a whiner.

For the next 30 miles, I made sure to surround myself with fun, positive people, with interesting things to say. Tina rode with me for the whole third leg and it was nice to have the busy-and-in-charge person all to myself. The last painful bits of the last leg were passed with Rachel. We sang Disney songs, I’m sure to the annoyance of those around us, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

And then, finally, the Shell Station of Destiny was once again in view, and oh my god, it was over! We did it!

I am so stinking proud of myself. The longest I had ever ridden before was 30 miles of flatness on a warm sunny day. I can’t believe I did it! You never know what you can do until you try, I guess. It’s such a great thing to know that you can push yourself and beat your inner whiner into submission. It also didn’t hurt that people kept telling me over and over again all weekend how awesome I was to be doing this. There were women younger than me who said things like, “Man! I hope that someday when I’m pregnant I can ride my bike 85 miles.” It’s crazy to think that *I* was inspiring. Me! That’s so nuts. I always graciously said thank you, but inside, my inner smartass was snickering.

WE ARE SO BADASS.

I *think* I can, I *think* I can, I *think* I can…

July 23, 2008 | FUN!

SB and I are participating in our first charity bike ride this weekend, the ALS DoubleDay. We will ride 85 miles through the Skagit Valley with a bunch of fun friends, and camp the middle night in a soccer field. It should be a blast!

We’re really looking forward to it. I’m hoping my pregnant ass can hack it. I think I’ll be ok. (Worrywarts among you, never fear. I shant push myself.) Please anticipate much whining about butt pain next week, but hopefully good stories and pictures, too.

Some good friends of ours are in charge of this whole thing, and originally we were just in it for the fun, but of course, we needed to raise some money. I’ve never asked friends and family for money for anything like this before, and I was really nervous. But I bit the bullet and sent out a fundraising letter, and you guys! I did it! I’m SO proud. It feels really good! And I can’t tell you how incredibly touched I am by all the people who donated. (THANK YOU blog readers: Jesse, Mari, Heather W!) This whole process has made me feel so happy about the niceness and generosity of people in general. Since I’ve learned it never hurts to ask, if by chance your life has been touched by ALS*, please consider chipping in as well. It’s a great cause! Here is a link to our team page.

*Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal neuromuscular disease that can strike anyone without warning. Every 90 minutes someone in this country will be diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes someone will lose their battle against this devastating disease.

You are SO jealous.

June 26, 2008 | FUN!

Another of the many exciting things I was dying to blog about while ZE was broken was my procurement of NKOTB tickets. WEEEEEEE!

I AM SO EXCITED. I don’t know what it is exactly, maybe just nostalgia, but when I saw them on the Today show, I was GIDDY. I couldn’t help the giant smile on my face and the desire to squeal in as high a pitch as possible. Then one day, I just happened to be driving past the Tacoma Dome and saw the announcement that tickets were going on sale that Saturday and I knew I must attend. I was fully prepared to drag SB, but then I just happened to mention it to the right friends and when their faces drained of all color and the world seemed to stop spinning for a moment, I knew I had found worthy companions.

Something I’ve realized, is that you had to be just the right age to give a shit about the New Kids. I never really think about it, but most of my friends are either a little younger or a little older than me, and in both cases, they just think I’m silly. You may, as well. But DUDE. I can’t wait! I don’t care if they’re old! So am I.

I’m off to doodle Jordan’s name on my notebook and arrange my NKOTB mini-buttons on my jean jacket.