Little Green

For those of you who have met Little Green, this picture is very representative of her on most days. She is 10 years old now and one would never guess it. Miss B recently had a photo shoot with her and this is the favorite shot from it. Completely captures the essence of this wonderful cat we call Little Green.

Castle Crags July 2008

Several years ago several friends from Peace Corps met at Castle Crags State Park for a weekend of camping and debauchery. We did the same without so much debauchery this time. This hike kicked my ass in 2001 (I think it was 2001). This time, I kicked it! Much easier since we started earlier in the morning and with some alcohol but not loads the night previous. Unfortunately the wild fires prevented much of a view but it was still pretty astounding from atop the Crags. To see pictures go to this link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10068723@N07/sets/72157606283459010/

It was ~ 7 miles round trip. Not bad! B made it for part of the way regardless of her knee and back issues. Overall, the entire camping weekend was a success! Looking forward to the next get together which involves a chex mix cook off and who knows whatever card games we can come up with!

Midwest Trip

Goofy family picture on the lake.
Kids kissing B! They love her!

Ice cream!

B and I went to the Midwest for our regular old regular trip to see our families. I neglected to post about that. Having just read her blog, I was reminded to do so. Overall a good trip but there is always, for me, a feeling at the end of the visit to board a plane as soon as possible to get the heck out of there. Don't get me wrong, family is lovely and all but I do believe I appreciate Wisconsin and all which is attached to me much more by being far away from it.

Looking back, I suspect when younger I never would have felt this way. I remember writing a paper about what I was going to be doing when I was 25 years old when in the 7th grade in Mrs. Bender's english class. (She was a great teacher by the way!) The essay said something about going to the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse to major in nursing. (Nevermind you can't get a nursing major there but who's counting?) I was also going to get married when 23 years old, live in Madison, have two kids, and have a really nice stereo. Oh, also on the list was the desire to have a really well kept lawn. What the?!?!? Obviously, only one of those things really happened, and that was only part of it. (The going to school in LaCrosse thing and once there, it took me 2.5 years to figure out what to major in, when I did, it took me another 3 years to actually finish course work, but again, who's counting?) Eventually also figured out that I couldn't major in nursing too....

With all that, there is something about going home that is enlightening each and every time. Upon arrival, my dad was chatting up Becky and I leaning on our rental car. I was on the opposite side of it, leaning and chatting back. Apparently the facial expressions, mannerisms, and overall body language used was pretty much exactly like my dad's. I realize this is where I come from and appreciate, in full, everything about it and it is me, to the core. However there is such a stark contradiction in most every part of my life here, sometimes it's hard to draw the parallels as to how in the world the end product is what you see today. Life is funny. And it's funny how everything just simply turns out.

So why the feeling of getting out of there ASAP at the end of each trip? I guess it's knowing what I am going back to and the life I love here. I am no longer wishing to be some place else, this is it. Feet firmly on the ground and dialed into a world which makes sense. Wanting to be where breathing easy and is home now. Everyone finds there place and this most certainly is mine.

Did not take any pictures this year in Wisconsin. We did do a family shoot and will be sure those pictures will show up sometime soon. The ones in the post are of Becky's niece (Bella) and nephews (Mason and Zach). I have been taking a stab at digital photography with B's point and shoot. So far so good. It's been fun to experiment and try new things. My favorite is the one of the ice cream. And how can you not enjoy taking pictures of such lovely subjects as these!

17 year old nephew Jake visits San Francisco

As you can see, we took Jake to do all things touristy. Seriously touristy. I haven't had to do this in a while as over the years I have pointed visotors in the right direction with a map and a pat on the back saying "good luck". Couldn't really do that with this guy since it was his first big trip solo without chaparones or his parents. Overall, a good trip. I think he really did have a good time. B was a phenomenal host and won the award for the greatest aunt! Because she is. Here is a link to the rest of the pictures if you would like to check them out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10068723@N07/sets/72157606078676963/

I do have to say we are glad to have our house back. Further reinforcement that we like our lives the way it is and having kids would mess it all up. People keep saying "what will you do when you are old?" and I would have to say nothing different. We will figure it out as we go, as always.

Super High Me

Being a fan of the green, how could I not check this out? It was in our local video store and of course was immediately attracted to it. Watched it over the weekend and I give it rave reviews. And you don't even have to be stoned to think it's hilarious. This Doug Benson guy is funny. And it is chock full of marijuana information and history that everyone should know. It's beyond me why weed is still considered such a criminal activity. Legalize, regulate, and tax the bejesus out of it. That alone could provide so much extra cash for our schools, roads, what have you. Of course this would piss the DEA off since they would have fewer drugs to look after and money to spend in their budgets for all the "good" work they do. So I suspect it won't happen. Unless of course, Dennis Peron does in fact become president!

Do yourself a favor. Get this movie. Sit down on the couch. Light up a fat bowl and enjoy.