My 30 Day Pledge

"I want to eat better, feel better, and stop supporting cruelty to chickens, pigs, cows, fish, and other animals raised for food in the factory farming industry. By signing my name, I pledge to explore vegetarianism for at least 30 days." - Leah Ruth Herzing for GoVeg.com

(Kicking off World Vegetarian Day and October as Vegetarian Awareness Month, established in 1977 by North American Vegetarian Society.)

40 Years Ago Against USC & OJ Simpson

...Was the last time that the Oregon State Beavers beat a #1 ranked opponent. Two days ago, they did it again, and I was there. Glenn (previous Benny the Beaver mascot), Matt (friend and co-worker), Jesse (friend and co-worker), and I traveled down to Corvallis to partake in beers and football. I think we were all bracing for a blowout, but that is not what we got. Our seats were high, but a great view of both the field, and the Coastal Range. I can't think of anywhere better to watch a fall football game!

Missing Lo & Grandpa...

Happy 1st Birthday Pax!

This little adorable munchkin celebrated his first birthday Saturday, amongst many friends of his parents and his grandma Beth. The theme was based on the tasty Indian cuisine, so I brought jewel stickers so that everyone could have a bindi. I stocked the good man up with plenty of clothing for his 18-24 month wardrobe, including a Star Wars onesie and chic pantalons du France.

I happen to love this little guy--not just because he comes from two totally beautiful and wonderful individuals that I have known both separately and together, but because he readily welcomes me into his world. I can forget the stresses of the day by sitting with him and letting him grab my nose and put it in his pocket--over and over again. This is the joy of children, right? They love you and take pleasure in you no matter what! I can feel like the scum of the Earth and then Pax will bestow kisses. *Pure pleasure.* I so look forward to our own little nugget of creation....

Anyone into music can also copy our other gift:

PAX: Your First Year in Music, Featuring:

Released 07 September: Iron and Wine, Shepherd's Dog, "Innocent Bones."
...October: Radiohead, In Rainbows, "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi"
...November: Sigur Ros, Hvarf - Heim, "Samskeyti (Live)"
...December: Rufus Wainright - Does Judy Live at Carnegie Hall, "Over the Rainbow"
Released 08 January: Of Montreal, Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? "Suffer For Fashion"
...February: Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago, "Skinny Love"
...March: She & Him (Zoey Deschanel & M. Ward), Volume I, "Hold On Me"
...April: Sun Kil Moon, April, "Lucky Man"
...May: Deathcab for Cutie, Narrow Stairs, "I Will Possess Your Heart"
...June: Wolf Parade, At Mount Zoomer, "Soldier's Grin"
...July: Beck, Modern Guilt, "Gamma Ray"
...August: Conor Oberst, Conor Oberst, "Cape Canaveral"

It Was the Size of My Head!

Opening Game - Sherwood High

Has Anyone Seen Rocco?

New Shirt New Shoes

Snack Basket

Am I crazy to make myself a snack basket?

One of the frustrating things about living with depression is that I don't have much of an appetite. I also get stressed out very easily, and when I'm stressed, I don't want to eat. I want to have coffee and a cigarette. Unfortunately, I also am pre-diabetic, so my blood sugar is very finicky. In a better effort to feed myself (nutritionally), I decided to make myself a "snack basket" with all sorts of goodies that I can graze on throughout the day. When I came home with my basket and told Dan what it was for, I'm pretty sure he thought I was crazy. I reasoned, "If I put small amounts of small food in very pretty packaging, I'll be more likely to want to eat it."

I picked up some pretty sticker labels and a sturdy basket at the craft store, and a heck of a lot of nuts and grains in bulk from the grocery store. I was a little too ambitious because when I loaded up my baggies, there was too much food for the basket. Either I need to get a bigger basket, or I need to pair down my selections daily. To start, I have raw pumpkin seeds, shelled pistachios, halved cashews, cheddar crackers, sesame sticks, flax and veggie tortilla chips, walnuts, 5-grain cereal, Persian cucumbers, New England granola mix, chocolate covered almonds, roasted veggie crackers, flax+ granola mix, and dried cranberries:

Once I started filling my baggies for the basket, Dan was eyeing everything and "taste-testing" it. After a while, I asked him if he wanted his own snack basket. I'm pretty sure Rocco does, too. There was only 1 spill as I transferred the food and Rocco heartily licked up every last bit of New England granola mix off the carpet. I didn't even have to get the vacuum out. I obviously need to add more fruit and veggies to the basket, but for now we'll see how this goes. I usually have salads for lunch with lots of veggies and I have skinni dip, a new fat-free frozen yogurt shop next to Henny Penny. My favorite order is the mango yogurt smoothie with pineapples, strawberries, and bananas. YUM. For now I think the snack basket would do well with some grapes or cherries, and more dried fruit...What's a good dried fruit?

Poached Eggs for 2

Tonight I requested this for dinner, via the kitchn, via Bon Appetit. I wish I knew French like I used to. Hubby obliged. After 1 round of Jeopardy and 2 rounds of Family Feud; it has been a laid back evening. Last night we sat on the porch and discussed death. How often do you do that with your loved ones? It is appropriate when you have been to a funeral and cried.

Relishing tonight's food. Relishing it all.

Holy Circus Babies!

I don't know what else to say. I am both elated and relieved to announce that I have completed my internship with the MU English Department as managing editor and designer of the M Review, our online literary publication. Like all good and hard things that come to an end, I see on the live version that I have a bit more work to do. There are a few snags. Regardless, I am happy to post the link for your reading pleasure. Jay and I collected an unusual bit of material-poetry and fiction-with a tendency toward the surreal and poetic dramatizations of interior moments. (I.E. Quirky, folks.) I have learned much from this experience and I hope that I will find opportunities in the future to work with literary journals.

The fact that M is officially going live tomorrow has become a significant gesture, as we will be gathering together with our English department community of students and teachers to celebrate the life of Jackie Mosier, recent Marylhurst graduate, who lost her battle with breast cancer. At the last minute, I tried to delicately incorporate a dedication in her honor to our 2008 issue. What I came up with is the illustration above, of a dove and flowers. I hope that people realize it is a dove. Does it look like a dove? It's kind of chubby.

Jackie had a zest for reading and writing, really good interprative and analytical skills, and opened her home again and again to our community for celebrations and hosting visiting authors. She leaves behind two adorable dogs and a husband, as well as an inspiring work ethic and creativity.

Breast Cancer and the Race for the Cure - Can you help Modern Image Studios?

The following letter is from Ryan, the husband of Sarah, one of Leah's dearest friends:

To all my friends and family,

I am writing today about a very serious subject. Sarah felt uncomfortable writing to ask for charitable donations from her friends and family so she asked if I would feel comfortable doing so. I asked what the cause was, and once given the information volunteered immediately. This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart, a cause that you may have been able to ascertain from the subject line of this email. We are talking about the breast. So, within this context, I ask you a simple question...who wouldn't want to be involved in the preservation of the breast and the women who manage and display them. We are talking about the foundations of society. The subject of countless pieces of art, and I am guessing, the crux of the Roman conflict and the inspiration for the majority of Da Vinci's inventions.

I remember once as a young boy finding a brochure on self examinations. This important piece of literature got me through many a trying time, providing comfort on dark nights just knowing that the breasts of the world were being slowly, gently, and thoroughly examined. If it weren't for organizations like the Susan G Komen Foundation, I don't know that this kind of support would have been available. It is my firm belief that we, as humans, must contribute anything we can to the protection of the breast. In fact, I cant be more firm in stating that we all must chip in to support breasts. What would this world be like without breasts?

As you may or may not know, Modern Image Studios, Sarah's company, gives a tremendous amount of support to the Susan G Komen Foundation, as a Gold Level Sponsor and has also donated their time as the exclusive Photographer and Videographer for the Chicago Race for the Cure. This year, the team has taken on a personal goal to try and raise an additional $5,000 beyond the $10K Gold Sponsorship. We have had a slow start, but it's not too late. Just a thought but, maybe the key is actually asking for support?! Anyway, I would like to think that every one of you has a few dollars to throw in to support the research and development of a cure for breast cancer. I promise I will only ask once a year, unless of course I need your help.

In all seriousness, I would miss the breasts, but I couldn't live without the women attached to them. Lets do what we can to help find a cure.

Here is how to participate. Go to the Modern Image Studios Team Page. Here you will be able to click on a team member name (right now we only have a few team members but Sarah and Susan are listed). You can make a secure donation by credit card right on the sight which goes directly to the foundation (you will receive an email receipt for tax purposes too). If you could help me out and send a request to any of your friends, collegues, or family that might be interested in a small donation I would greatly appreciate that as well.

Thanks again for your generous support!

Ryan Christensen (Sarah's Assistant and Husband)

But I have an Interview Tomorrow Morning....

Out of anxiety, I am drinking Moosehead Lagers and blogging. I tagged myself from Under a Red Roof. Because I'm creepy and self-centered like that.

Enjoy, and play along, if you like…

Places I Go Over and Over

1. Trader Joe's

2. Henny Penny

3. Potso dog park.

My Last Three Purchases

1. Mocha Slurpy.

2. Iced mocha.

3. Parliament Lights

GROSS!

Places I Love to Eat

1. Pizzicato. It's an acquired Northwest taste. At least when you're coming from Chicago.

2. Daily Cafe in the Pearl. Yummy, fresh, and it reminds me of Nick & Megan.

3. Hot Lips. I guess I like pizza.

4. Lovely Hula Hands in the Mississippi neighborhood...Decadent and reminds me of Hattie!

5. Wild Abandon. Our special spot.

Dream Dinner Guests

...Living?

1. Barack Obama

2. Alice Munroe

3. Tina Fey

4. Dalai Lama

A Few Places I’d love to Travel

1. Reykjavík, Iceland

2. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

3. Madison, Wisconsin

4. Italy, again, with the hubby

Television Shows I Like

....current?

1. Mad Men

2. Pam: Girl on the Loose

3. Anything on OPB

Big Accomplishments Yet to Happen - Soon, Soon…

1. Sell screenplay

2. Get a job with BENEFITS!

The NEF Rolls!

Self-Portrait Tuesday (a day late) Revival

"Oscillation is the repetitive variation, typically in time, of some measure about a central value (often a point of equilibrium) or between two or more different states" (Wikipedia.org).



I feel good. I feel I am in pain.
I feel smart and capable. I feel weak and a failure.
I believe in God. I don't believe in God.
I want to have a baby. I don't want to have a baby.
I want to be a vegetarian. I don't want to be a vegetarian.
I am inspired. I am devastated.
I want to watch TV. I never want to watch TV ever again.
I love my life. I hate existing.
I want to fly back to Illinois in two weeks and go to my 10 year high school reunion. I don't want to bother.
I want to drink alcohol. I want to drink juice.
I want to have better posture. I want to lie in the fetal position.
I want to give back. I want to take it all.
I want to make art. I want to lay around and fart.
I am funny. I am sad.
I want help. I refuse help.
I love vegetables. I love cigarettes.
I believe humanity is full of hope. I believe humanity is full of terror.
I want to be organized. I want to make it all a mess.
I am light. I am dark.
I am a child. I am an adult.

We've Been Back From Vacation

for five days now. Five days full of flea treatments, doggy treats and toys and the park, counseling sessions with Hobbes for his "abandonment," grocery shopping, sleeping soundly in our own bed, and sitting quietly on our own porch. AND! THE BEARS. WON. OPENING GAME. oh yes.

Of course we have plenty to blog about and photos to share of our week in Illinois, but it has taken me some sweet, fat time to organize them because Dan became super-ambitious with the camera this trip (--yea, tho!) To see all of the photos from the trip, follow the link on the photo below, but I'll have recaps coming soon!

[Me & Char at the trailer at Apple Canyon Lake]