More Free Art Downtown

This guy has been on the corners near Pioneer Place for a couple of weeks and I love hearing this sound as I wait for my ride.  If I had a buck or two, I would have stood in front of him and taken better video but I felt guilty not paying for the privilege.

Takin' What I'm Given

I am just ending my first full month on my new job after more than a year of unemployment.  I think I've settled back in to the work-a-day routine pretty well, all things considered.  So has Matt, who has had to step it up in the domestic area recently, particularly in the morning.  Coordinating shower times and the sharing of the bathroom mirror, getting the dogs fed and pottied, breakfasts made, dishes done, lunches packed and house secured, all by 6:55AM takes great teamwork, let me tell you.  Still, we've managed it pretty successfully and carpooling has really worked out well for us.

A lot of people have asked me, "how's your new job?" and although they would probably be happy with a generic response, I find myself searching for an answer to that question in spite of the fact.  I know that I was dealing with some depression and self worth issues due to losing my job and being constantly rejected during my many months of searching. Also, financial anxiety was eating away at me a little bit every day in a way that I hadn't experienced in a long time so I am definitely relieved to find work, finally. Unfortunately, I had to take a major pay cut from my last position and the job itself is not very challenging. Since this feels like such a step backwards, it's hard to get excited when people ask me about it. Added to that the strain of working for someone with whom I've had a mixed history at my previous job, I am realizing that I am more anxious and apprehensive than I would like.  It hasn't been bad so far but it is hard to feel all that good about it right now - only time will tell, I guess.

Still, I am glad not to be searching and worrying anymore and have really tried to focus on the positive aspects of this job.  One thing I've found is that I love the work environment.  The atmosphere here is great - I love the building, the people the dresscode and the general niceness of everything: all the computers, phones, desks and cubicles are new and in good order.  We have a kickass coffee machine (or cafe droid, as I like to call it) and I couldn't ask for a more entertaining neighbor than a gay Republican from Brooklyn.
Additionally, working downtown is such an improvement over the barren wastelands of the industrial district where Ferguson was located. There is so much awesomeness within walking distance - Stumptown, sushi, shopping... I could go on but I'd rather show you the pictures I've snapped on my phone:

This was the view on my way to work on Cinco De Mayo. NICE OUT!




View from the lunchroom - sometimes you can see Mt. Hood

 

It speaks 150 different languages... of coffee.

 

Waiting for my ride home - this is my corner

400 SW 6th in all its glory

Just your average rainy day in the city



I love how sometimes you get a little art in the city.  Free concert!

 

The Northbound Bitch Express

T, Ape, Nik - these are a few of my favorite peeps

I had the good fortune to wind up on a girls only road trip to Seattle last weekend to visit Teresa, a long time friend of Nikki's who has become a friend to me over the years, (even if long distance.)  We hit the road Saturday morning and ended up on T's doorstep around 1:30 when the drinking began.  In retrospect, I don't know if mixing Vodka and cranberry juice and darkish beers was a wise idea, especially after a month of low-carb eating and reduced alcohol consumption, but throwing caution to the wind is a good thing every once in a while.  GO WITH THE FLOW, I always say, right girls?

The company was great, the conversation stimulating, even when drunken and at high decibels and the hostess was more than accommodating.  We started off at an awesome place, Black Raven Brewing for a cool annual festival - I can't remember if there was a name for this festival but there were supposed to be goats on site, eating (and thus sustainably disposing of) used up beer grains like malts and hops and barleys. I guess we missed the goats but we were treated to a free Reggae concert and some delicious beers.  Also entreating was a near peep-show from a dude who we called "Zipper Guy" the rest of the night. After agreeing that it was well time to get some food in our systems, we headed then to Red Hook Brewery for dinner where I had some of the best non-Mexican restaurant Mexican food.  And more beer.

The goats were gone.  Nevermore to return.

I just liked this bumper sticker, OK?

Another view of our table at the brewery.

I guess I liked this tree, too?

Signs, signs, everywhere signs.

We were pretty ready for our appetizers at this point.

Mystery pitcher, given to us by Zipper Guy's buddy who was desperately on the prowl

 

We wound up "singing" along to one of T's karoake games well in to the night -- actually, it probably wasn't that late but it had been a long day of imbibing and giggling.  I think the vodka made another appearance at this point and thus contributed to a bit of a miserable ride home the next morning but luckily, after we found a great breakfast spot, Nikki took the wheel and got us home right on schedule.

Thanks for the great time, girls.  And now, Apologies:

To April - for the picture.  You were a good sport though and it has been deleted from my phone.  I think.
To T - for my lack of coaster usage every time I had a drink at your house. I wasn't raised in a barn, OK?
To Nikki - for the late night lambasting - I thought we agreed earlier in the day not to talk about peoples' parenting decisions but...???
To T - also for enduring the above
To April - for the late night snoring and farting you got blamed for... I think some of that was me
To Nikki - for any part I may have played in coercing you to liberate merchandise from the Redhook gift shop
And to all for THIS:

Lots of love to you, Chulas!

Let's do it again soon.

Sequim Scramble

I learned over Easter weekend the extent to which my husband's family loves the sport of golf.  You see, Matt's uncle Bob built and maintained golf courses for many many years. That's was his job still and he plans to stay on a while even though he is eligible to retire. Having access to free golf, naturally all of his kids and grand-kids grew up with clubs in their hands. Even his dog is known on the links. The first time I met the Sequim Schoesslers was at a golf tournament, now that I think about it so I should not have been surprised when "Poppo" built a practice green and a four hole mini-course in his yard. Every Easter, they hold a family tournament for silly prizes (and bragging rights) called "The Easter Egg Scramble" which we were able to attend for the first time.  We are, however, NOT golfers but this type of tradition is just what I love about the holidays.  I got some bad camera photos but the poor quality shouldn't diminish the fun that was had.

Nana and Narn chatting in the house before the big event

Josh was the registrar and scorekeeper.  Seriously, these kids *know* golf!

Stay loose, Jules!

Kyle, playin' with his ball sack.

Obligatory pic of Nana with a beer.  Every. Year.

Kendra & Shelly

Julie & Christian

Bill stopped mid-swing to pose for this.  I think it hurt his overall score but look at that smile!

Duane tees up

Johnny shows off

Walking to the second hole

Christian and Jesse are separated by a head.

Fourth hole = It's Miller time!

The boys should be glad Kendra didn't participate.  She hit the cream cheese out of the ball!

Matt only lost because he was honest. And not terribly sober.

Johnny accepts the "green shirt" as this year's winner.

Dard and Poppo.  I love how they both sort of melt in to the couch.