I survived the Holidays.  I am back in humble, rainy Portland and I missed the snow storm of a century.  It will be a new year in a few short hours and the only resolution I have made for 2009 is to make little resolutions throughout the year.  Oh yeah, those are called goals, I don't believe in forcing a goal just because of our calendar. 

You won't believe me, but I had to be significantly choosy on which photos to post.  We took about a million mostly because children are so photogenic and we stayed with Brandon's nephews and niece.  See for yourself.

The boys "camped" outside in negative degree temperatures.  Of course, I watched from the window!

 

My parents took us to the bosque,  bird sanctuary designed and kept up specifically to attract migrating birds in the winter.  We saw a bald eagle, a golden eagle and countless geese, cranes and duck.  We even saw an elk!  It was beautiful, and very relaxing.  It made me miss Taco.

A short visit with my sweet Grandparents....

and a surprise visit from Santa!  Just for me and my mom.  I guess we were good girls this year.

Whew!  It was very fast, furious and fun.  I am very glad to be home even though I missed all the snow.  Happy 2009 everyone!  It is going to be an amazing year.

This is the product of being snowed in, getting high on hot chocholate and watching too much tv.

Tag, You're IT.

I am playing a blog chain-letter of sorts. I was tagged by http://www.everydaybitch.com and asked to list the six things that make me most happy. I don't want to bore you with "family", "friends" and "health" so after those three here goes in no particular order.

1. Sleeping in
2. Cheese and bread (together)
3. Dance parties
4. Taco the parrot
5. My bosses maternity leave
6. Going to Albuquerque for Christmas

That was fun! Now the part that is not so fun: tagging others.

Miss Anne at http://sassafrasanne.blogspot.com/

Abby at http://projectsforyournest.blogspot.com/

Liz at http://lovingthismomstuff.blogspot.com

Codi at http://deathbydenim.blogspot.com/

Tranquility at http://steintranquility.blogspot.com/

Okay that's all I got!

Frozen in!

I got my snow day people!  My boss texted me at 6 am with this message "The office will be closed today due to inclement weather".  I'm all for professionalism, but there are 3 people in our office (including her).  I don't care, NO WORK!  So, I bundled up to see what my yard looked like, and these were the only bits of color I could find.  I think that rose is pickled!

Our friend Scott came to visit on the bus.  He is the most talented musician I know and he has been playing his guitar all day.  I wish he would never go, his songs are so beautiful.  Taco is in love with him.  I've never seen him so attracted to a stranger.  He keep leaning over towards him and finally jumped from my hand to Scott's knee.  Naturally, Scott is terrified of him.

SNOW STORM 2008!

 I have no idea why everything is underlined.  Blogspot is hard to edit and I don't feel like dealing with it.  You can read it, right? It's been snowing all day.  Not very impressive accumulation to people in any other part of the country, but we are excited.  In fact, my boss just called and said maybe no work!  My fingers are crossed.  I hate driving in the snow, plus I can get cozy with Bee and watch scary movies. 

Despite the conditions, we went to Fred Meyer today to pick up some photos we ordered.  We got a bunch of other stuff and totally forgot the pictures!  Dah.  Well, at least we have bikini wax and Pad Thai!  

In other news, Taco is really coming around.  He has warmed up so much that I can give him "kisses"  and he even makes a pucker noise.  Pretty much makes my heart melt.  We were at a party last night, I was telling one person all about Taco and then I overheard Bee across the room telling a rendition of the same story.  That is when I realized that Brandon and I are becoming crazed pet owners.  I guess it beats obsessed parents.

RIP CITY

I am such a huge Trailblazers fan right now. I've never been into sports before, but Basketball is the only one I really understand and "everybody loves a winner" and we are doing so great. So I was ecstatic when we got free tickets! I even went out and bought a Brandon Roy girl's Jersey to show my spirit (I like Batum better but they didn't have his). We ate at home so we didn't have to spend $7 on a hot-dog, and our good friend Allison bought us a beer. Well, we lost by one point in the last three seconds. I felt like my heart was being ripped out and I would cry. Then I laughed inside about how it is just a game and how we actually did have the time of our lives.

Holiday Stress

Ugh, Holidays. I never thought I would be the type to get caught up in all of the Holiday BS. But there I was last night, in tears in the middle of IKEA, throwing toys, having the equivalent to an adult temper tantrum. It's just too much to work all day, rush to Christmas shop in utter chaos for that perfect gift that won't cost too much (because oh yeah, I don't have any money) knowing the gift won't even be appreciated but you are still obligated. I HAVE HAD IT. If I get you something, It's because I really wanted to and it's probably hand made.

It's not just the presents either. Do you know I have 5 Christmas parties I'm going to attend? Two of those are from friends and should be fun (even though they are on the same night across Portland). The other 3 are because of certain family members feelings, health issues, locations, ailments, deficiencies, conflicting personalities blah, blah, blah. I am going to 3 dinners in the period of 24 hours. I know you don't believe me, but this is a better option than getting everyone under the same roof.

SO! Merry Christmas everyone!

Taco Has a Preference

ME!

One Way Ticket to Eternal Damnation

I have a confession. I go to the Christian thrift store by my work, buy Christian books and sell them for a profit on Amazon. The above selections are available for purchase now on my store. If you think that is bad, I really assure my place in hell by talking to cashier about going to church and then I ask for a discount (which he always gives me!)

Courage and Change

First some business, I came across this awesome giveaway blog and want to mention it. http://deathbydenim.blogspot.com/
Right now you can enter to win a hotel stay in Portland. Which would be awesome, because I live here!



I took this photo with Brandon's new camera, I have never used any setting besides "auto" until now. I'm hooked on taking time to make the image my own.

I am fortunate to have all 4 of my grandparents. I spoke to both Grandmothers today. They know me so well. They both watched me grow up. Do you ever get the same message from multiple sources? Like the universe is trying to tell you something? The thing that they both said to me today was: "You are so brave, where do you get your courage?" I know I am adventurous, but I've never translated that attribute to bravery. Grandma Gordon said she worries about everyone in our family late at night. She said I am the exception, sure, she worries about me but her heart feels settled and she knows everything will be okay with me. That made me cry. I love her positive attitude, she is such an inspiration. My other Grandmother doesn't get as sentimental, but she did say, "remember when you were little, like 8 or 9 and we took you and your cousin to the largest wooden roller coaster in the world? I don't know how you did it, but you didn't blink an eye before jumping on that thing. Your cousin Natalie was shaking in tears and didn't get on in the end, but nothing was going to stop you." I'm not sure why the universe is reminding me to be brave through my Grandmothers, but I have a feeling there is some change ahead and I'm going to need that courage.

Dr. Anesthesia

Brandon is waking up from a long drug-induced sleep as I write. He had hernia surgery about an hour ago. I just heard from the Dr. that everything went wonderful, but I am shaking with nerves until I see him. I know he's going to be in some serious pain for the next few days. I'm lucky to have a flexible job and can take tomorrow and the next day off.


Update: We're home now and Brandon is healing well, they use this weird glue instead of staples. It looks weird. Here are the pictures:





Is two Taco video blogs back-to-back too much? I don't want this to turn into the crazy obsessed bird-lady blog. He's just so cute and does silly stuff like in this clip when he decides to take a bath in his water dish. I think we need to provide him with an appropriate dish!

Taco vs. Tucker

Changing the parrot's name from Tucker to Taco is a lot harder than I expected. If you get a dog from the pound and change it's name, who the hell cares? The dog's happy as long as he's with you and fed. This bird talks and remembers his name, so unfortunately Tucker is sticking. Watch this video and laugh at my efforts!



Did you notice he says "Hi Tuck" near the end? I think we are making progress. Besides the name change the bird is doing much better. He is much more talkative and interested in hanging out with us. Last night I couldn't get him in the cage. That reminds me, Eduardo (one of my Mexican students) taught me that "juala" is cage in Spanish. It sounds just like "holla"! So I taught him holla as a greeting!! Which cracks me up when I think of him saying it to one of his friends. I can have a little fun with tutoring right?!

In other news, We got a new camera; a Canon Powershot G10. I'm still overwhelemed by all the dials and buttons, so for now, I leave it on automatic and they all come out better that anything else I've taken. I took all these photos at Anne's baby shower this weekend.




This was by far the best baby shower I've ever been to. No stupid games and BOYS were there! I like how everyone (except Anne) took shots.

This photo was taken with my old point and shoot, It was my gift to Anne's baby girl. I have saved it until now becuase I wanted it to be a suprise. It's a blanket I made.

Infomercials

Brandon just turned me on to the world of infomercials. Before, when I walked in the room and he was watching a program involving the "Newest Age Aerodynamic Broom" I would just shake my head and think he was a product of our society. I thought he was really buying into it. I never asked to many questions because it is so much calmer than some reality shows and ultimate fighting he watches. Tonight, he disclosed the real reason; it's really funny to hear the actors describe the most mundane items and try to make the viewer experience them first-hand. Right now I'm watching a pair sell us a "massage therapy" pillow. I want to tell you, reader, that you can put this pillow ANYWHERE. We are given a demonstration of all of the places you can put it on your body. And let me also remind you that this pillow is portable, so you can take it with you ANYWHERE.

Taco the Talking Tucker

So long no post. I've been sick and having some blog privacy issue, so changed my address. Brandon and I are fostering this guy:


Well, not exactly that guy, but one just like him. No camera yet people. I'm still working on things....just bear with this blog until after Christmas and I'm banking it will get more interesting....

Back to the bird.....We rescued him from a bird shelter because he doesn't get along with other birds. He's 12 years old and his name was Tucker, but I thought that was lame, so I call him Taco. He is a Mexican and it still kinda sounds like Tucker. So far no bad habits, we are slowly gaining his trust. He has been pretty quiet and recluse and doesn't like coming out of his cage so far. We are hoping that changes soon, but are patient. He is magnificent and I know his heart is made of pure gold.

So far these are the things he says
"Hi" in a very sweet low voice
"goodnight" used at appropriate times
"What-ever" not sarcastic-more aloof
"Goodbye Tucker"
"Obama" Just kidding, we're working on that one!


As for us, we are just testing this whole deal out. Either way we got him out of a bad situation. These birds live for 60 YEARS! That's like signing up to have a baby with a 2 year old brain capacity for 50 YEARS, he could out live me! I hope it works, but we'll see. I'll keep you posted.

Dia De Los Muertos

Before reading my blog please watch this Sedaris clip. It starts in Portuguese, but stay with it for a minute, it reverts to English.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-CrQXgHHhk

I had seen this video the day before my meeting with Pedro, my Mexican student/tutor. We do an intercambio where he speaks English for awhile, then I speak Spanish. Pedro came to "class" last week prepared with a similar story about Dia De Los Muertos. He even came equipped with a sheet of important translations such as "pray", "soul", "grave", "cemetery", but mix the complexity of religion, customs, culture and add a lack of proper conjugation and you get hilarity. As David illustrates, our customs are ridiculious enough
before translation.

It is extremely important at me not to laugh at Pedro....I would feel humiliated should he laugh at me. The combination of previously watching this video and the actual story was just too much to bear. Before I knew it I felt like my stomach was going to explode with laughter and my eyes would pop out of my head.

What is especially cute about his gesture is that I am already very familiar with Dia de Los Muertos becuase of growing up in New Mexico and traveling to Mexico (but I didn't tell him that)!

For those of you who don't know, Day of the Dead is when the peoples go to the grave and have a picnic. The peoples eat a lot of candy and rice after to go to church. Then, the peoples see a dead soul in the cemetary and eat lunch with the soul.

I lost my camera in San Fransisco. I never left my wallet in El Segundo, so I consider myself fortunate. But, it is making this whole blogging thing a little difficult. I guess I will just be more creative until the Holiday when I (cross my fingers) get a new one! So, my new favorite thing to go while I'm bored at work is play with this website that lets you choose color pallets and then it generates pictures off of Flicker.

http://labs.ideeinc.com

I'm just not sure how I can use it best. So, today I took the colors of clothes I am wearing and plugged it in. This is what I got:




How appropriate!

Patriotism

I remember in an art and photography class in college one assignment was to look at a series of images and describe how each made you feel. Before the September attacks, I never thought much about the image above. I knew what it meant, where it came from and what it represented on an informational basis, but did not have much feeling attached. My class was post-911 and I had a new set of associations. My intuit on this image is an example of internal conflict. I knew that it stood for all good things but because of what it become I felt unsettled.

In the few days following 911 there was a sense that we were all in the fight together and for a moment the country felt united, but as government stepped in with agendas and with the decision to invade Iraq, the American flag became a symbol of division. Those in support of the war and government sported this image on cars, over-sized trucks, lawns, and apparel. Those opposed felt like all pride had been drained from their souls and was replaced with embarrassment.

I want to be proud to live here and in many ways I am. But we have a long way to go. If Barack Obama becomes president I have faith that pride will be restored and a new set of associations will accompany the American flag.

Inspiration for this post has come from the book below. Infidel by Ayaan Hirshi Ali is a very powerful autobiography by a Muslim woman who struggled with fulfilling her duties as the eldest daughter and an arranged marriage. It is a story about her bravery in escaping her marriage and searching for political, cultural, and spiritual freedom when everything-including her own life-was at stake.

It made me feel very naive when complaining about being an American. At the very least I know I can complain without fear of being killed. We have potential to be the greatest country in the world.

Flamingos!

Brandon's amazing sister keeps hooking up our lawn with awesome flamingo fun. Just had to share these hilarious lawn decorations. We keep putting on the wrong outfit to be funny-- for instance, this Christmas our flamingo will be dressed as the Easter Bunny!

The Eagles of Death Metal are playing the Wonder Ballroom on Halloween and that is where Brandon and I will be. Check them out and join the fun.

Art and Friends

Brandon and I made a spontaneous trip to San Fransisco to see some art and some amazing friends. We surprised Mike Giant at his art show at the gallery White Walls. Brandon and I cracked up when we saw this Don Shrader image. Only those who spent time at UNM know what I'm talking about!

Then we went to this neat Korean bar where some very sweet and hospitable ladies got us loaded and gave us free Korean left-overs! It was delicious!!

This four star establishment only cost us $120!


We took a train to Oakland and went to a lecture/book signing by Robert Williams, Brandon's' favorite artist and idol. He gave an impressive lecture and was very nice when we finally got to meet him. We stayed with some great friends of ours.

Then we went to visit Zach at a dinner hosted by his parents. I played "Ponies" with his daughter Wren. (I think I was having more fun than she was!)



Well it was a complete whirl-wind and I can't believe we made it. I made a vow to do spontaneous things more often. Expectations can ruin experience.

Obamarado

Last week I went to Ft. Collins, Colorado. My intentions were two-fold. I wanted to volunteer for Obama and decided to be effective and do it in a swing state. I also wanted to spend time with my sister who lives there.

Ft. Collins is a charming, old city. I was excited to be in a lightening storm. The sounds and smells of this storm made me miss Albuquerque.




I loved the mid-century homes in my sister's neighborhood. We put her Schwinn cruisers (and my legs!) to use.





Canvassing was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I was so nervous when I knocked on that first door that I started shaking. I was worried people were going to challenge me on the issues. What I soon came to realize is that most everyone wants to get you off their doorstep as soon as possible. I did get chased down the street once by an elderly lady wearing a "McCain/Palin"
t-shirt spewing off about her freedom and socialism. She also refered to Sarah Palin as "a breath of fresh air". Looking back it's pretty funny. What she doesn't realize is that I still have her address........

I do feel very accomplished. I did some very important work-I registered 5 young people to vote and in attempt to get voter turn-out I registered 12 democrats for mail-in ballotts. I also provided information sheets and signed up 6 people to volunteer. When Obama wins Colorado by 17 votes you can all thank me!

I feel very sheltered by liberals and democrats in Oregon. Canvassing really helped me understand the phrases "swing states" and "battlegrounds". Just because I don't know any swing voters certainly does not mean that they do not exist. Please do not be fooled into thinking Obama has this in the bag. It is still a very close race and I encourage you to do what you can. Donate money, donate time and talk to everyone you know about voting.




This shirt is awesome! I tried everything to find one, but they are GONE!