Oaks Puke

Delaney and I were so excited when she got free tickets to Oaks Amusement Park this week. I had just enjoyed the movie Adventureland and was feeling nostalgic about the huge rides I used to go on with my Dad when I was a kid. He used to give me tips to make myself taller when approaching the dreaded measuring stick that determines if you are big enough to get on the ride.

When we got there, the familiar Carney sounds and smells washed over me and I felt like a enthusiastic kid again. The first ride we went was the Tilt'a'Whril, which was super fun but I still can't figure out if throwing your body weight around actually effects the speed of the turns. I am convinced that the spins are pre-determined.

Next, we went on the biggest ride we could find (the screaming eagle) and waiting anxiously, just to be cut off by the gate until the next ride. Waiting gave us the opportunity to observe all of the glorious heights and turn we were now committed to. It was finally our turn and halfway through the ride I commented to Dee, "This isn't so bad, it's actually pretty relaxing". Famous last words before the pimply teenage kid kicked it up a notch sending us flying through the air at god speed.

We both got off the screaming eagle so sick and dizzy that we had to sit down for quite a few minutes before retiring to the Ferris wheel and bumber cars. We went home with our heads
down low, shamed and disappointed that once again, age was catching up to us.

Soap Box Derby

Every year Portland hosts an "Adult Soap Box Derby". Get your mind out of the gutter; there is nothing kinky about this event, just a bunch of grown ups designing and building engine free vehicles to fly down Mt. Tabor in. Brandon and I have gone since we first moved to Portland. Some of our favorites from the past include; a clawfoot tub with people bathing on wheels, an office cubicle complete with a computer, house plant and water fountain, and a mini Wineebago with six passengers.

This year won't be as memorable, I liked the leg-go car the best. Perhaps what I will remember the best is the crowd, as the years pass it gets increasingly more crowded. That probably won't stop me from going!

Mad Men

The contest is over! Thank you for voting/trying to vote for me. I'll let you know how I did at the end of next week. Last time I looked, I was in the "Contest Leader" category.

I've got mad style

You guys know the show Mad Men? I uploaded a photo of myself to enter a casting call contest. Please, please,please vote for me. I think it would be so much fun to win. You can vote once a day, so please vote today and tomorrow at this link:

http://madmencastingcall.amctv.com/photos/view/4025

If you feel so moved, could you please pass this on to people who know me, or you think would like to vote?

I really appreciate it!

Hope you are all enjoying your summer.Melanie

Long walks

Here is the progress on my craft kit:


The only thing that bugs me is that the guitar doesn't go through the mouth of the mask. Maybe it is a magic mask?



Brandon and I have been going on very long walks in the evenings. The weather has been so nice, and we are preparing for our long voyage on foot through Spain!

I saw this is someone's yard and the license plate made me laugh: