So far, our trip has been great. Our flights yesterday were fine, on time, and comfortable. I realized that was the first time I’ve flown since 9-11, and discovered a new travel rule. Always wear clean socks with no holes, because you have to go shoe-less through security. That’s okay though, I didn’t mind.
Portland is great. After Anna and Jason picked us up at the airport, they drove us around town to show us the highlights. The city seems so nice and clean with tons of cute shops and restaurants and lots to do. Lots of hippies too. We got to see the war protesters (who’s signs informed me the war is NOT over). We also got to see “critical mass,” a group of bicyclists who ride the streets of Portland on the last Friday of every month, trying to foul up traffic for motorists as a way of protesting car travel and promoting bike travel. The bike cops were riding along and keeping everyone in check, so that was good.
We saw the rose gardens, which were beautiful and smelled wonderful. Roses as far as you could see. Then we had pizza, toured Anna’s station, played Nintendo and crashed.
Today, we’re going to the coast. Then, who knows!
It’s good to be back with Anna and Jason. Seems like we picked up right where we left off.
Setting your work email to send automatic out-of-office replies is a good feeling. So is changing your outgoing message on your voicemail to tell people you are finally on vacation. I may not get on the plane until tomorrow, but I left work today a happy girl.
Packing is difficult, especially because I’m not sure what to expect from Alaska’s climate. I’ve been checking the weather forecast for the past 2 weeks, and it has varied from highs in the 60s, to snowing and 31 degrees. And I imagine Alaska’s 50 degrees feels different from Savannah’s 50 degrees. I’m sure we packed too much, but I’m fairly sure there’s something I’ll realize later that I’ve forgotten. But that’s just part of it.
I didn’t forget the film. Or the camera. Or the extra lens. Or the video camera. Or Lee’s digital camera. The picture taking will be out of control. I’m looking forward to it.
I didn’t sleep well last night. I can’t remember what exactly I dreamed, but I know it had to do with our trip. I’ll probably sleep even less tonight, but maybe that means I’ll sleep on the plane.
I think I will miss having this journal when I’m in Alaska. I imagine I will want to write about everything we see. But at the same time, maybe it will be good to just enjoy it, record it in my mind, and spend my time looking at the mountains and rivers instead of a computer screen.
Time to go look at our suitcases again and figure out what else I’ve forgotten.
I’m never usually very good at putt-putt. But today, I did just fine. Not par, or anything, but enough to be the winner. Lee did have an impressive hole-in-one, but it was not enough for the win. However, he did beat me handily in air hockey.
It has been a good day. I had to work, which I thought would stink, but I didn’t have to stay all day. I got to play putt-putt with Lee and Erin, which was lots of fun. Now I have the rest of my afternoon/evening to get stuff done.
There’s a lot to get done. We leave in four days. I’m working on laundry, and making a list of all the other things we need to get/do.
Anna sent us a list of potential “things to do” in Portland, and it looked like a lot of fun. Weather permitting, I think we’re going to the coast (I’ve never seen the Pacific) and also going to spend some time in Portland, seeing the city. Best of all, we’ll be spending time with good friends.
I had to work yesterday, too, which I thought would also stink. But, I met a really nice man at the candlelight memorial service I was covering. He was in his 80s, and had served in three wars – WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He was wounded in Vietnam, and just shy of 30 years in the service when he had to be discharged. He said if the army hadn’t made him get out, he’d still be serving today. He talked about being upset about the way Vietnam veterans were treated when they came home. He said it still hurts, even now. Sometimes, when I’m working, it’s hard not to blur the lines between reporter and person. The person in me wanted to give him a hug, the reporter held back. Instead, I tried to write a good story about him, but one that I know won’t do his life justice. I’ll try to remember him every Memorial Day. He didn’t die in the war (thank goodness), but he still made sacrifices, and I thank him.
Yesterday, our good friend Dave boarded a plane and left town for good. First, he’ll visit family in California, then start a great new job in Miami. We were all sad to see him go.
But before he left, we celebrated his new job in grand style. A group of us from work and elsewhere toured a few local establishments. There was laughter, dancing, and general foolishness. Then, Lee and Dave ended the night with a lovely bit of karaoke.
A good time was had by all. Next party – Miami.
Tengo un problema. Estoy adicto a Shakira.
I now have my second Shakira C.D. The very special thing about my new C.D. is the accompanying lyrics sheet.
I love to sing along to songs. I love speaking Spanish. Combining the two is far too exciting, especially when you’re singing with someone as passionate as Shakira. I have really enjoyed reviving some of my Spanish. I even dreamed about speaking Spanish last night.
But my habit has become dangerous. Peligroso. When I listen to Shakira in the car, I want so badly to read the lyrics while I drive so I can sing along. I only do it at red lights, but even that must stop. I don’t want to be “that person,” the one reading the paper or putting on lipstick while swerving across three lanes of traffic.
I must hide the lyric sheet while I drive.
No sera facil. Pero, voy a tratar.
The local paper, Savannah Morning News, does a weekly feature of a local business called Surfin’ Sites. The feature tells a little about that business, then lets the business recommend some favorite web sites.
Well today’s featured business was none other than Lee’s business, heideldesign. I am very proud. I’m constantly amazed at his creativity and talent, and it’s nice when someone else gives him a nod too.
Here’s the link.
I would say that tonight, my faith in the good of people was restored – but really, I hadn’t lost that faith. Instead, my faith in good people was re-enforced.
About a month ago, I was at Bar Bar in City Market with a group of folks from work for a going away party. A group of us were dancing in the back room, and it was getting hot so I wanted to take off my jacket. I put it on top of a pile of jackets right next to our pile of purses.
About 20 minutes later, I looked at the pile of jackets – but only saw bare floor. The pile was gone. My jacket was gone with it.
I tried not to get upset. It was my fault for putting my jacket in a pile on the floor. I thought the other jackets belonged to my friends – but I was wrong. I tried to brush it off, but It was my favorite leather jacket, a birthday gift from my parents. It was the kind of jacket you wear too much but you can’t help yourself.
I wanted to believe the owners of the other jackets in the pile had simply picked mine up by mistake. But part of me said that was stupid. Someone surely stole it.
Suddenly, everyone in the bar appeared to be wearing my jacket. It’s not that different from every other black leather jacket. But it was mine, and everyone was a suspect. I checked with employees, but no one knew where my jacket could be.
Tonight, Lee and I were in City Market with some friends, walking past Bar Bar. On a whim, I decided to pop in and ask about my jacket. The bartender looked skeptical, but agreed to go into the back and check. A few moments later, she appeared – my black leather jacket in hand.
Someone had turned it in. I knew it was mine. The brand was right, the size was right, and most convincing of all – there were candy wrappers in the pocket.
A big thank you is due to the people who accidentally took my jacket, then returned it. A big thank you to the bar for not throwing it out. A big thank you to good people everywhere.
Two weeks from tonight, Lee and I will be scrambling to pack for our big trip to Alaska. We’ll be doing last minute laundry, wondering why we waited until the last minute, and I’ll be running to Wal-Mart to pick up all the little stuff you need to take, and wondering what I’m forgetting. It’ll be great.
I can’t wait. Sometimes, it’s all I think about. Other times, I try not to think about it. What if everything doesn’t go according to plan? What if the weather is bad? What if it rains every day we’re there? Then I remind myself – it’ll be Alaskan rain, and we’ll be there to enjoy it. Let it rain on us while we hike. Let it rain so hard we have to stay holed up in a cabin reading books and sipping coffee. Really, would that be so bad? I think not.
I’m already planning on it raining in Portland – because it always does, right? But that’s fine. My goal there is spend quality time with Anna and Jason. It can be outdoors, it can be in the apartment playing Mario Kart, I don’t care. I know we’ll have fun either way.
Lee bought me a travel book called “Looking for Alaska.” I’ve just begun to read it, and I already enjoy it so much. And I identify with the title. I’ve been looking for Alaska for years. I’m ready to find it, whatever it may be like.
Was it a date? Was it just a “friends” thing?
9 years ago today – I wasn’t sure. Lee and I went to see “The Crow” at the Tifton movie theater. I had to lie to get in, because it was rated R and I was only 16. I put my hand on the armrest between us in case he wanted to hold it. At the end of the night I got a hug and a kiss on the forehead. But by then, it was clear to me it was a date. There was too much chemistry to be ignored.
The next day, I listened over and over again to the mix tape he made for me. I felt that feeling of butterflies in your stomach when you think of someone or something exciting.
Nine years later, he’s my husband and best friend. And I still get butterflies when I think about him, but they’re different. It’s not an anxious feeling of something mysterious and unkown, it’s the wonderful feeling of being in love and having that love returned, and still being excited about it.
Erin, Alva, Lee and I went to the Sand Gnats game tonight, and had a lot of fun. It was Feed Your Face Monday, which meant for six bucks, you got all-you-can-eat concessions. We ate all we could eat, and then some. Ugh.
Then Erin and I got some of the bubble gum they were throwing at the crowd. Some kids on the field were in a bubble gum blowing contest, so we decided we needed a picture of us blowing a bubble at the same time.
Apparently, this is no simple task. We missed. And missed again.
But we finally got it right. And had some big laughs trying. Sisters are good.
