The Railroad Analogy

How bad can it get?

If you've found yourself wondering, "what if" amidst all the hype and nonsense related to the upcoming election, here's one point of view...

I'm Voting Republican

Ear candy

This song has haunted me since our honeymoon... we went to England & Ireland mid 2006 and this song would stop me dead in my tracks every time as I tried desperately to make out the lyrics so that I could look it up later. I'd always forget, however, and it would elude me for several more months, until now, that is! More importantly, this song has an uncanny ability to make me giggle and dance around while singing gibberish...
Behold the Scissor Sisters:

What the Duck

My, what a busy summer!

It's officially fall here in Portland. The chickens are pretty much full grown, [we'll be looking for eggs in the next month or so], the pumpkins have been harvested, the last of the tomatoes are slowly ripening, the bathroom has been gutted and the remodel is in full swing, we've renewed our climbing gym memberships, the fenders are back on the bikes, we've been eating figs off neighborhood trees and checking the fallen chestnuts for little treasures.

Jim has been working very hard and very long hours over the summer, so our adventuring has been minimal. Instead we've put a lot of energy into projects in and around the house: a new roof for the deck, gardening, and the bathroom remodel. The demolition began 3 weeks ago, and the skylight is being put in as I write. The framing of the new lofted ceiling/walls has begun and almost all of the components and fixtures have been ordered. Where we could we've bartered with friends to keep costs down and keep the money "in the family". We're going as green as possible--to the point that it hurts at times! It's been a lot more work to research and specify truly green products, but it is worth it. In most cases we're actually saving money over the conventional route. We're doing our best to keep it local, too. I'll do another post later with all the details and final specs and, of course, photos. Today I just wanted to post a quick update to let you know all is well.

I've been getting several requests for portrait work, and in fact have one this weekend in Seattle with my friend Lisa. Once the remodel is done, I'll be able to focus on building a business. But for now I've dusted off my design hat and busted out my tape measure and clipboard and play Designer/General Contractor most days and evenings. It's actually been pretty fun, and in spite of all the dust and inconvenience of taking our only bathroom to the studs, it hasn't presented too much hardship. We still have a working toilet and tub, but eventually everything will need to come out to do the floors, which is when I expect we'll have a couple of rough days. But our neighbors have offered to let us use their bathrooms and we can shower at the climbing gym, so it shouldn't be too bad.

Now I'm off to order lights, call the plumber, and go to Pro Photo Supply...

Message From Malo

Dear Bob
Since I've returned from my long trip around the Western US, I've been sitting on the couch and waiting for you to come home. Jim said something like "Bob..work..Colorado.." but I didn't get the rest, I was busy rubbing my face on the cushion. So, where are you dude? I'd really like some broccoli scraps right now.

After a long day of screaming at the mailman, re-organizing the socks upstairs, and checking the kitchen and dining room for dust particles that may be edible, I like to nap. Every time, I ask myself So where's my nap buddy? Where's Bob!? I guess you're not going to nap with me on the couch until I rent another movie. Each day Jim comes home I scream at him to Go Get A Movie! but he thinks its all about him. What a dork.

Anyway, if you're out having fun, good for you. I'll miss you and defend the house against strange intruders like that infested squirrel that makes faces at me through the window. Each night when dinner gets handed out, I leave a little behind for you Bob, in your honor. Then I eat it. Well, because its food. Duh!

I'll be here when you get back, unless Jim or Hanmi drags me around to their hippy-dippy "park" to play with the stupid dogs. What a lame idea. When will they learn that I really only like stuffed animals. Sheesh.

I'll get a movie and we can nap. Something from the library that was made in the 40's. Oh, I'm feeling tired just thinking about it. Gotta go!

Love,
Malo

just joking...

i've had all kinds of blog fodder swirling in my brain this week, but sadly, precious little time for writing. so for now, i offer this:


Sunday School
Little Mary was not the best student in Sunday School. Usually she slept through the class. One day the teacher called on her while she was napping, ''Tell me, Mary, who created the universe?''

When Mary didn't stir, little Johnny, an altruistic boy seated in the chair behind her, took a pin and jabbed her in the rear. ''God Almighty !'' shouted Mary and the teacher said, ''Very good'' and Mary fell back to sleep.

A while later the teacher asked Mary, ''Who is our Lord and Savior?'' But Mary didn't even stir from her slumber. Once again, Johnny came to the rescue and stuck her again. ''Jesus Christ!'' shouted Mary and the teacher said, ''Very good,'' and Mary fell back to sleep.

Then the teacher asked Mary a third question, ''What did Eve say to Adam after she had her twenty-third child?'' And again, Johnny jabbed her with the pin. This time Mary jumped up and shouted, ''If you stick that damn thing in me one more time, I'll break it in half!''

The Teacher fainted.

this is news?

this morning jim and i awoke, as we always do, to our local public radio station, OPB... in our half awake delirium the weather report started to sound like fodder for stand up comedy. it's been raining hard and steady for the last couple days and the report was stating something painfully obvious and even more uninteresting, along the lines of 'wind and rain causing local leaf blowers' great hardship...' that's actually one of jim's riffs on the topic which lead to gut wrenching peals of laughter... he had countless others, but, it being early i can hardly remember anything besides how hard i was laughing.

he sent me another via email:

WEATHER UPDATE
"Hopscotch Drawers reporting increased difficulty throughout the week."

suffice it to say, we laugh a LOT.

a couple weeks ago a story on queen latifah singing standards led to him saying, 'what's next? diana krall re-interpreting rap songs?' then he crooned, 'peeeeeeeeeelll mmmeeeeeeee a grrrraaape. . . bitch!'

i almost peed the bed. it stayed with me all day, too... i would be sitting in a meeting and suddenly i'd hear his voice, 'peeeeeeeeeelll mmmeeeeeeee a grrrraaape. . . bitch!' it wasn't one of my more 'composed' days... the best part was the reaction i'd get from people when i just up and sang it out loud... the back story didn't seem to matter.

this afternoon i thought i'd go to OPB's website to check for more interesting 'weather related' stories. instead i found this headline:

"Undecided Voters Big Mystery in Presidential Race"

no shit?