Friday the 21st we went to Oregon for a week. It was Awesome! First day we were exhausted of coarse, but luckily we got a non-stop flight direct to Portland. Arrived at about 5 am and Michelle and Mariah picked us up. Then we drove down to Salem, about an hour away and took a sleepless nap. The boys woke up and we took a walk in the neighborhood. Once Michelle got back from her workout at the gym (she's addicted) we took Mariah and Jenny to the mall for a short bit of shopping. Then, Michelle and I went back and picked up the boys (not enough room for 6 in her car) and take her sitter home. Then I dropped her off at her office and took the boys down to the mall and pickup Jenny and Mariah.
We all headed over to a park that had a huge tiled earth with a bunch of stuff on it. Then we walked around the park, played a bit on the playground equipment they had there, went on the carousel for a ride, got some food, then went to look at Michelle's new place. It's really big. Afterwards we headed to Wunderland, a nickel arcade, for an hour then met Michelle at the old house. She and the kids went over to a friends for dinner while Jenny and I vegged, had some weird pizza, and called it a day. One very exhausting day...
Saturday morning bright and early, Michelle had to take the kids to see there dad for spring break. Michelle's friend John picked us up to meet her for breakfast at Guest House. Good food, huge helpings. I couldn't eat all of my food. Then Michelle needed new rear tires on her car, Jason then picked us up and we went down to the blue pepper for coffee and time passing. We walked around that area a bit, got some truffles, went to a store called 10,000 villages and I stopped by a used book store, but didn't find anything that peaked my attention, and checked out a few other stores.
Michelle's car was done so we got it, went to the mall again, I did more wandering (it's what I do at mall's), then went home and went with Michelle to a Church service she was greeting at. For dinner that night we went to the Olive Garden (which will probably never come up to Alaska).
Sunday not much was open as it was Easter Sunday so after Michelle's service, we spent the day packing the house up, rented a couple movies from block buster, got a couple pizzas from Papa Murphy's and that summed up that day.
Monday we drove to Portland and hit the Zoo. The weather didn't suck horribly, but it could have been better. Right after entering the zoo, we saw a couple of peacocks just wandering around. We went through a caged area where a bunch of lorikeets landed on us (and some poo'd on others). Very colorful guys and Jenny had 3 crawling on her at one time. We got to see a sleeping Tiger, a playful otter (I think) some monkeys, turtles, elephants, a giraffe, a sleeping rhino, a grizzle bear, a couple eagles, mountain goat and other various animals.
Afterwards we went to Ikea. We'd never been to one and the jerks don't ship to Alaska, so I wanted to check one out while we were there. It took us about 2 hours. Things were a lot cheaper there. Got some nifty lamps, even some cool Tupperware type stuff for super cheap. And they had there own food court/cafeteria type area. Michelle had never been there either so it was a new thing for her too. While we were eating, we sat down (not knowing) next to Jenny's cousin Molly who was traveling out of Portland. Small world eh? So once we were done there we headed back to Salem.
Tuesday morning we headed back to Portland and went to OMSI, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Cool place but way too many kids. Surprised I didn't get a headache from all the noise. Then we went across the bridge to downtown and had some nummy food at a little shop that bakes it's own bread from scratch & started. And Michelle's boyfriend got us a loaf of some kind of bread that was really good too. He also got us tickets to the Museum for Thursday. Very cool!
We then headed back into Salem because Michelle had a client. She's a massage therapist so her schedule varies a bit but she's loving what she's doing. To pass the time Jenny and I headed back to downtown Salem, the mall area, which wasn't too far from Michelle's office. I got some shoes, my old ones were shot, and wandered. We then picked up Michelle, headed back to the old house to change and such, then picked up Michelle's friend Vera and went to Olive Garden for Dinner.
Wednesday was a somewhat simple day. Once a couple of Michelle's friends showed up, we move her house. It was surprisingly fast. We filled up one enclosed trailer that's used for hauling a couple atv's and a medium sized moving truck, made one trip to the new place and unloaded most everything into the garage. It took about 4-5 hours total. Not bad for an entire house.
Then we headed down to Corvallis to there Open Floor night. Salsa dancing. It's Michelle's addiction. We had no clue what we were doing but it was definitely entertaining to watch a group of 16-18 people dancing in one big group. I guess she's in a level 3 class which is really good. No way could I keep up with all they were doing.
Thursday Michelle had a full day of clients so Jenny and I borrowed her car and went to Portland. We had to use those free Museum tickets that we got. There was a Huge 1+ foot piece of obsidian, some interesting Native American craft work and a ballet exhibit. They had these nifty phone like things that had recorded info about each painting. After the gift shop, we proceeded to wander aimlessly about the area, keeping a close paranoid eye on the time because I didn't get to get a parking ticket.
Beginning to starve and running out of parking meter time, we drove a few blocks up, hit a turn only, and I saw a pub. I was getting rather hungry and didn't want to wander anymore so I promptly parked at the closest spot and we had lunch at a place called McMenamins. I had a awesome burger that had blue cheese in it. Got a couple beer glasses and some of there mustard, paid a bit more for the parking to cover until 7 (after 7 it's free) and we wandered aimlessly some more. After a bit, it started to rain so we called it a night, zipped back to the car and drove back to Salem.
Friday we went over to the coast, near Lincoln city. Stopped by and got some salt water taffy, a requirement for me and stopped in a parking area. It was a really cold wind so we didn't really spend much time out of the car. Jumped out, snapped a few pictures, then jumped back in. Once back in, Jenny promptly said "Ok, where's the aquarium?" So we headed that way. Stopping by a place that sold some jerky. Got to try a bit of the candied salmon, though it was really salty. Unfortunately we forgot the rest of it in Michelle's fridge. So eventually she can send it to us with the mini tripod I forgot. (DOH!) We swung by the Rogue Brewery and had lunch. I had a sampler of 4 beers. 3 had too much bitter taste for my preference but they were still good.
Once at the Aquarium, it decided to hail like mad for a few minutes, but it was ok because we made it inside. Yay! Took a bunch of pictures, some good once of the jelly fish came out but the place was insanely busy. They had 2 very cool walk through tunnels so you were surrounded by lots of fish and some sharks. We then headed to Corvallis to meet up with Michelle's dancing group and all went to a Latin salsa night that lasted until 2 a.m. Jenny never seemed to stop and I was dead tired, but it was a blast. At one point I couldn't even keep rhythm because I was so exhausted. We stopped by a Shari's restaurant. Like a Denny's and open all night. Apparently the one we went to had its own guard and kicked a couple out for arguing right before we got there. Drama Central basically.
Saturday, after being woken up by Michelle's neighbors (they were just saying hi) we were getting our stuff together for the flight back. I double checked our flight info and found out that we had to be at the airport 2 hours before I thought we did. So I panicked, cram packed everything into my bag while Jenny did the same and hit the road. We stopped by Ikea because I wanted to get a couple more nifty $10 lights since something like that would cost about $20 - $25 up here.
We caught our plane with no issue, got through security without any hassle and made it home in one piece, well, a few pieces really.
Today, I saw yet another person that parks a vehicle like a mental midget..
Anchorage is full of them. There brains are made of stale Jell-o and they have a staggering inability to realize the world is full of people around them and they are not the center of it. Stale Jell-o or not.
Take a look at this photo. Now, normally when I park at a meter, I try to get close to it. Either the front, or the back, so there is room enough to pull out safely and I'm not double parking, therefor NOT wasting space. I personally find it beyond STUPID, which apparently most people are.
Instead, this bafoon parks between 2 meters. Not just a little off, but wasting 2 spaces. Now, where in the heck are the cops, why don't they ticket this moron for for double parking, (of which I saw make a left turn on a red light WHICH WAS ILLEGAL) and shouldn't he at least have to pay both meters since he's using both spots??
How, I ask, can people be naturally this dumb?? [Submitted by newly]
This Saturday, Jenny and I went to the Alaska Sea Life Center. It was a pretty good trip, except the weather on the way back, but no avalanches or anything that bad.
We had breakfast in Girdwood @ the Bake Shop. I had Sour dough pancakes. They were very yummy.
Then we stopped by the gallery next door. They were having a silent auction of various art pieced. Pottery, paintings, jewelry and other stuff. Then we headed on down to Seward. They had a variety of exhibits, but the coolest ones were down stairs. They have Huge Plexiglas walls that are part of the tanks so it's like a giant aquarium. They had seals, (which Jenny got to perform tricks) fish of coarse, and a big sea lion. He like to circle around the tank and rub along the glass wall.
Check out the pix in the gallery here [Submitted by newly]
We cleaned out the garage finally!! It took 4 hours of a beautiful sunny day, and now it's overcast and icky today, but it had to be done. We now have room for Jenny's Kiln, got rid of some old crap that is going to the dump Monday and good riddance.
Now I have to install the ceiling bike mount pulley things I got and the bikes will be magically (not really) suspended and out of the way for the winter. Flipping bikes upside down to put them on hooks gets tiring. Anyway, now to take the grandma-mobile (as I call it) to the airport to Jenny's Uncle Bud can take it to Ninilchik.
Oh yeah, got Team Fortress 2. Very cool. Except when I KEEP DYING! I hate being out of practice. Good week all. C'iao [Submitted by newly]
Today has been rather boring I must admit. I'm working today, currently, and I’ve done very little, but someone had to work it, and I was offered double time so hey, a bigger paycheck can't hurt, except for the freaking taxes. Jenny went up to Denali with her cousins/relatives and stayed the night @ the Denali lodge/hotel place. Never been there so I don't really know what it is exactly. Last night I went out to Wasilla, picked up Moe's computer which is currently freaking out like mad. So hopefully I will be able to fix it rather than wipe it and re-install the world on it. Then I headed out the Knick Goose-bay Road to Dan's new place. It's a chalet style A-frame. It's pretty cool and it's way the heck out there. No ambient city lights and very quiet. Pretty cool.
So I got home around midnight, then got up bright and early to work 8 hours of DT. Got to catch up on a couple frivolous things. I think I’ll go get a snack. BTW, new pix on Flickr and in the Gallery. Check em out under the Scenic Photos album. Later everyone. [Submitted by newly]
I considered putting a rant on here about a stupid incident on my way home on bike, but decided not to waste your time with it. I figure I'm too bitter about enough things in this world to succumb to more of it, and after thinking about it, it was rather stupid.
Instead, I will inform you that I had a pretty good day at work, not stellar, but it didn't suck, which is always a bonus. Also I'm considering getting a Gecko. A Leopard Gecko actually. From what limited resources I have read so far they live up to 20 years. So I'm going to do my homework and see what it all entails first before adopting one (purchasing actually, but then he/she would seem to be more of a thing at that point, and I don't want a thing). Once I have finished all my reading and such, I will be sure to post updates, pictures and such. [Submitted by newly]
We didn't do much this weekend I must admit, but that's ok. We biked down town Saturday for a late lunch at Snowgoose since they have outdoor seating on there deck. It's usually a touch windy there and I didn't think about it so I was a bit chilly. That's okay tho, the food was good.
That evening we went over to the hotel millennium, near the airport and lake hood to meet Jenny's relatives that are up for the week to visit her grandmother in Ninilchik.
Today we biked over to REI to find out we couldn't get our biked checked out while we waited, they had 1 person working, so no biggie. Then had a burger at a place I hadn't been to. Tommy's Burger Stop, I think. Christine from work raved about it once and I had to try it. It was rather yummy.
Then we went to Lowes to get bird seed, fun *sarcasm*, and headed home. I was really tired at this point for some reason, and it was only 3:00pm. After a break @ home, we went over to PetZoo and got some price ideas. I want to get a lizard of some kind. Nothing that get's BIG. A small gecko or something. We didn't buy anything since we were just price shopping.
We then stopped by and got a skillet for cooking flat stuff like pancakes. It's not very easy in a regular pan.
So, that was our weekend. How was yours??
P.S. I will be working at the fair both the 1st and 2nd, so that takes care of that. [Submitted by newly]
Yesterday we did a 1 day trip to Kenny Lake and back. It's a rather long drive, about 4 hours one way. So it was a total of 8 hours of driving. We didn't really get on our way soon enough tho. My pickup was making this ticking noise when I got 40+ mph.
I was a bit concerned so I was going to stop by my dad's shop, take the tire off and have a closer look. On the way there we had to take a detour down some rough dirt rodes with various bumps and such. Then, when I got back on the main road, got up to 50, it stopped making the noise. WTF?!
So it stopped, and we continues on without issue. It was a clear and sunny day so it was a nice drive through the mountains. We got out there, spent 2 hours filling up my pickup with some of what we needed, and headed back. We stopped by the Wellman's to say hi and hope dearly for a shower. Crawling around a trailer full of boxes of stuff that has been sitting for a few years with no ventilation at all, works up a sweat.
Luckily Gay was home and noticed my shirt was saturated and offered use of the facilities. I was soooo greatful! Then she even invited us for dinner. The Wellman's are Awesome. Such great friends. So we had dinner, some nice chatting and headed back to town, arriving @ home about 1:00 a.m.
Just outside of Palmer it rained like mad and some jerk on the road kept stopping, then passing me. I think 3 times. grr, I hate traffic. So we made it home and didn't get up until 11:00 am. Since we took Friday to do that, we still have our weekend. YAY! [Submitted by newly]