It's been more than a year since I've had an update here, and far more since I've been a regular LJ user at all. But lately I have been wishing for a place to discuss what's been going on in life, and frankly have been perhaps a little jealous of Vera's new Wordpress blog. See, it's ( Read more... )

We've been having a cold spell here in Oregon, and as a result the Rogue Valley has been blessed with its share of snow. While it's not sticking too well on the valley floor, the various hills and mountains around us are now white-capped and rather lovely. The first serious day of snow, low clouds clung to our fair city. B- and I hiked up Roxy ( Read more... )

I took a walk downtown this afternoon. Autumn is one of my favorite times to walk in the neighborhoods around here, because of the big, old deciduous trees we have lining the streets. The really beautiful days last just a couple of weeks, and then we have a few more weeks of piles of decaying leaves, their vivid colors fading away rapidly into ( Read more... )

Once again, it's been a while since I've posted an update. I have been rather busy these past few weeks, what with house sitting and things. I've been playing a lot of golf, drinking a wide variety of beers (N.B. working at the beer store is great!), eating a lot of breakfast, and started learning how to really play poker instead of just sitting ( Read more... )

I'd like to start out by letting you all know that I have, unfortunately, had to take employment. However, it's pretty much the most leisurely job I could find. I am working at Bear Creek Beers on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. I'd encourage all of you to stop by and visit me, if you're in the area. It's right next to ( Read more... )

My dad, brother, and I successfully climbed Steens Mountain and came back alive. I'm not entirely sure how, because it was one hell of a backpacking trip. I don't think we understood when we set out exactly how difficult this leg of the Desert Trail is, because it completely overshadowed both the Pueblo Mountains and the Alvord Desert sections. ( Read more... )

Dang, my allergies are really rotten this year. I usually get just a hint of the ol' hay fever each spring, which is quickly chased away by some loratadine, but this year it's been bad. Stuffy nose, sneezing, and some rather irritated sinuses. I'm really sick of it, but the pollen count looks like it's going to continue to be pretty rotten for ( Read more... )

Things are quite wonderful. That is a pretty good summary of the way life has been going lately, especially since the repair of my hot water heater, the miraculous rejuvenation of my vacuum cleaner, and the great dinner I BBQed tonight ( Read more... )

I just got back from Barnes & Noble, where I purchased the Michelin guidebook for Scotland, which has me very excited. I've been researching various ways to get from Amsterdam to Scotland, and it looks like I can get from Amsterdam to London via the Dutch Flyer, and then take some British train system to Edinburgh, which is just four exciting ( Read more... )

Today is my very last day of work. I won't say it's my last day of work ever, but I really hope that it's my last day as part of the rat race. From now on I'm hoping to avoid the 9-to-5 sort of lifestyle and replace it with something that is a better fit for my particular temperament. I just don't know what that is yet, you see. This last week- ( Read more... )